Granulocyte collagenase and cathepsin B in patients with cancer of digestive organs.

Investigation of granulocyte collagenase and cathepsin B activities in 53 patients with cancer of various digestive organs revealed that total collagenase, active collagenase and cathepsin B activities were found to be higher than normal. The mean total collagenase activity in patients with cancer of the stomach, pancreas or liver was significantly higher than control values. The mean active collagenase activity in patients with cancer of the colon or liver was also significantly higher than control values. The mean cathepsin B activity in patients with cancer of the esophagus, colon or pancreas was significantly higher than control values. Active collagenase activity increased in advanced stage cases. Cathepsin B activity correlated significantly with active collagenase activity, but not with total collagenase activity, supporting the hypothesis that collagenases might be activated by cathepsin B. These results suggest that granulocyte collagenolytic enzymes, stimulated by some factors released from tumor cells, facilitate the invasion of tumor cells.