Sacks N P, Smith K, Norman A P, Greenall M, LeJeune S, Harris A L
ICRF Molecular Oncology Laboratories, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital.
Eur J Cancer. 1993;29A(3):426-8. doi: 10.1016/0959-8049(93)90401-z.
Cathepsin D and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) have both been proposed as poor prognostic markers in breast cancer. We have compared the tumour cytosolic cathepsin D level with EGFr and oestrogen receptor (ER) levels and the axillary node status of 131 patients with operable breast cancer, to see if EGFr and cathepsin D are co-regulated. Cathepsin D level was measured using a two-site immunoradiometric assay kit. No correlation was found between the level of cathepsin D and EGFr, ER or nodal status. Since the raised level of cytosolic cathepsin D was not related to EGFr, it may be that measuring the level of both of these markers in the same sample will give additional prognostic information.
