A possible application of cathepsin B activity determination for estimating the spread of the cervix uteri carcinoma.

The value of cathepsin B activity determination for evaluation of the extent of disease was investigated in 98 patients with the cervix uteri carcinoma and 25 women with cervix uteri dysplasia. The measurements were performed before treatment. Cathepsin B activity was estimated in serum using Z-Phe-Arg-NMec, and in tumor tissue using Z-Arg-Arg-pNA . HCl as substrates. The mean activity of the enzyme increased both in serum and tumor tissue with progression of neoplastic disease and was dependent on the clinical stage of cervical carcinoma. It should be stressed, however, that among the patients with the clinically observed early stage of the disease, higher cathepsin B activity was observed in those in whom metastases to pelvic lymph nodes were detected than in those in whom the disease was limited to cervix uteri.