Expression of ps2 and cathepsin-d in breast-cancer.

Cytosolic levels of pS2 and Cathepsin D (Cath D) were compared in 145 primary breast cancer patients using the immunoradiometric (IRMA) assays ELSA-pS2-degrees and ELSA-Cath. D-degrees of Cis biointernational. The mean values were 20.04 +/- 41.75 ng pS2/mg of cytosol protein (cp) and 49.94 +/- 33.71 pmol Cath D/mg cp. The pS2 level was significantly associated with Estrogen Receptor (ER), Progesterone Receptor (PgR) and Cath D levels. Significant associations were also found between Log (pS2) or Log (Cath. D) and differentiation grade (SBR), between Log (pS2) and ER (+,-) or PgR (+,-), between Log (Cath. D) and PgR (+,-). No correlations were noted between Log (pS2) or Log (Cath D) and menopausal status, tumor size (T) and lymph node involvement (N), between pS2 and age, between Cath D and age, ER and PgR, between Log (Cath D) and ER (+,-). Contrary to Cath D, pS2 was strongly linked to steroid receptors.