Comparison of the tumor associated proteases cathepsin D (CATH D) and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) in cytosols of human breast cancer patients.

As a matter of routine, prepared cytosols of human primary breast cancer specimens (n = 230) are analysed for both CATH D and hormone receptor status (ER,PR). Retrospectively, uPA was determined in the samples. The selection criterion for the retrospective analysis was the possibility of a longitudinal follow-up of the patients. All tumor stages were included, but the main emphasis was on lower tumor stages (T1, and T2) as well as nodal negative stages (N0). The results of the hormone receptor status (ER,PR) were: ER+PR+ 66.37%; ER+PR- 10.18%, ER-PR+ 10.18%, ER-PR- 13.27%. The CATH D results ranged from 5 to 246 pmol/mg protein. 30.97% of these results rose above 50 pmol/mg protein (positive), 42.48% were below 35 pmol/mg protein (negative). The uPA results ranged from 0.05 to 3.74 ng/mg protein. 27.43% of the uPA results rose above 0.71 ng/mg protein (positive), 58.85% were below 0.53 ng/mg protein (negative). Raised results of uPA are distinct in the higher tumor stages (T1N0 > T2N0 > T2N1 > T4Nx). Although the CATH D and uPA measurements showed similar results (positive/negative distribution) in the general survey, the confirmity of both factors is rather limited if it is focused to single cases. Between CATH D and uPA there was a confirmity of 50% (T1N0) of 45.5% (T2N0) respectively in the range of positive results, and there was a confirmity of 60.3% (T1N0) and 65.8% (T2N0), respectively, in the range of negative results. Differences were seen in 19.2% (T1N0) and 22.7% (T2N0), respectively, in the range of positive results, and in 20.6% (T1N0) in 1508% (T2N0), respectively, in the range of negative results. The prospectively diagnostic value of these is still under observation.