The prognostic value of the expression of collagenase IV, cathepsin D and metallothionein in squamous cell carcinomas of the skin determined by immunohistochemistry
T. Goldmann et al., The prognostic value of the expression of collagenase IV, cathepsin D and metallothionein in squamous cell carcinomas of the skin determined by immunohistochemistry, ARCH DERM R, 293(3), 2001, pp. 115-120
We analyzed 53 specimens from primary squamous cell carcinomas of the skin
for the expression of collagenase IV, cathepsin D and metallothionein by me
ans of immunohistochemistry along with histological data. We compared tumor
s that metastasized (30) with tumors that did not (23) during a follow-up p
eriod of at least 5 years. The expression of the two proteolytic enzymes ca
thepsin D and collagenase IV was also assessed at the invading front of the
tumors. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences for the over
all expression of cathepsin D (P < 0.05), expression of cathepsin at the in
vading front (P < 0.05) and the tumor thickness (P < 0.01). The results sho
wed that cathepsin D may be a prognostic factor for squamous cell carcinoma
s of the skin. We then combined the results of parameters with statisticall
y significant differences by multiplication. The prognostic value of such a
combined risk-factor score showed higher confidence than any of the single
parameters alone: a sensitivity of 63.3%, a specificity of 87.0% and an ef
ficiency of 73.6%. This kind of combined risk-factor score might be used to
more accurately detect patients at high risk of metastasis.