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Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Monitoring Neutrophil Elastase and Cathepsin G Activity in Human Sputum Samples
09:23

Monitoring Neutrophil Elastase and Cathepsin G Activity in Human Sputum Samples

Published on: May 21, 2021

Neutrophil elastase and cancer

Takashi Sato1, Satoshi Takahashi, Takao Mizumoto

  • 1Department of Otolaryngology, Aichi-Gakuin University, Suemori-dori 2-11, Chikusa-ku 464-8651, Aichi, Japan.

Surgical Oncology
|February 27, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Neutrophil elastase (NE) aids cancer metastasis by degrading extracellular matrix proteins. Inhibiting NE shows promise in preventing cancer invasion and spread.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Cancer metastasis involves complex proteolytic events.
  • Neutrophil elastase (NE) is a protease with broad substrate specificity.
  • Elevated NE levels are linked to cancer progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review experimental and clinical evidence on neutrophil elastase (NE) in cancer.
  • To investigate the role of NE in tumor growth and metastasis.
  • To evaluate the therapeutic potential of NE inhibitors in cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of experimental and clinical studies on NE and cancer.
  • Assessment of NE expression in human breast and lung cancer cell lines and tissues.
  • Evaluation of NE inhibitor efficacy in preclinical mouse models of cancer.

Main Results:

  • Human breast and lung cancer cell lines produce immunoreactive NE.
  • Tumor tissue NE levels are independent prognostic indicators for breast and lung cancer patients.
  • A specific NE inhibitor significantly suppressed the growth of transplanted cancer cells in mice.

Conclusions:

  • Neutrophil elastase plays a significant role in cancer invasion and metastasis.
  • NE levels in tumors can serve as a prognostic biomarker.
  • NE inhibitors represent a promising therapeutic strategy for preventing cancer metastasis.

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