Immunohistochemical evaluation of cathepsin D in normal, hyperplastic and malignant endometrium: correlation with hormone receptor status c-erbB-2, p53, Rb proteins and proliferation associated indices

Expression of Cathepsin D in Bladder Carcinoma: Correlation with Pathological Features and Serum Cystatin C Levels

Aims and background

The aim of this study is to evaluate the expression of cathepsin D in primary bladder cancer and to determine its relationship with conventional pathological features and serum cystatin C levels.

Methods

The immunohistochemical cathepsin D expression and staining patterns of epithelial and stromal cells were investigated in 21 patients with primary bladder carcinoma. Serum cystatin C levels were determined by immunoturbidimetry and compared with matched controls.

Results

There were 7 papillary neoplasms of low malignant potential, 7 low-grade and 7 high-grade carcinomas. Six tumors were invasive. Statistical analysis showed a significant inverse relationship between cathepsin D expression of the tumor cells and tumor grade and stage (P = 0.018 and P = 0.046, respectively). Serum cystatin C levels of the controls and patients varied between 0.39 mg/L and 1.99 mg/L (P >0.05). There was no significant relation between cathepsin D expression in tumor tissue and serum cystatin C levels.

Conclusions

Loss of cathepsin D expression in bladder carcinomas may be associated with high-grade and invasive tumors. Thus, increased cathepsin D expression by tumor cells may be related to local tumor invasion at an early stage, but it seems that extracellular cystatin C is not affected by cathepsin D expression of tumor or stromal cells, and cystatin C concentrations are not directly correlated with the progression of primary bladder carcinomas.

Expression of the inhibin-alpha subunit in normal, hyperplastic and malignant endometrial tissue: an immunohistochemical analysis

OBJECTIVES

Determination of the frequency and tissue distribution of inhibin-alpha (INH-alpha) in normal, hyperplastic and malignant endometrium.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Endometrial tissue was obtained from normal, hyperplastic (glandular-cystic hyperplasia), adenomatous hyperplasia (AH grade I to III) and endometroid adenocarcinoma and immunohistochemically characterized with INH-alpha antibody.

RESULTS

INH-alpha was expressed in normal, hyperplastic and malignant endometrium. Highest expression was observed during secretory phase and glandular-cystic hyperplasia compared to all groups. A continuous decline was noted from AH grade I to III with a significance between AH I and II.

DISCUSSION

A menstrual cycle associated expression of INH-alpha in glandular endometrial epithelium was observed. Since AH grade II and III can be considered as a precursor of endometrial cancer, INH-alpha could be a marker of cell transformation and an endometrial tumor-suppressor agent.