TUMOR-ASSOCIATED PROTEOLYTIC FACTORS UPA AND PAI-1 IN ENDOMETRIAL CARCINOMA

The levels of plasminogen activator urokinase (uPA) and of its inhibit or (PAI-1) were measured by use of ELISA in the cytosol of tissue homo genates obtained from endometrial carcinomas and the marginal, tumor-f ree endometrium of postmenopausal patients (n = 64). Significantly hig her median levels of uPA and PAI-1 were found in malignant endometrium (uPA 1.89 ng/mg, PAI-1 3.04 ng/mg) compared to tumor-free endometrium (uPA 0.84 ng/mg, PAI-1 1.01 ng/mg). Concerning uPA, no significant di fferences were found in dependence on histomorphological prognostic fa ctors (staging, grading), but the median level of PAI-1 was significan tly higher in G2/G3 carcinomas compared to G1 tumors (5.08 ng/mg vs 2. 19 ng/mg). Because of the good prognosis of operated patients with end ometrial carcinomas, the prognostic value of uPA and PAI-1 can only be decided by a larger number of patients and a long observation time. ( C) 1997 Academic Press.