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Cathepsin D in breast cancer
1Unité Hormones et Cancer (U 148) INSERM, University of Montpellier, France.
Breast Cancer Research and Treatment
|July 1, 1990
Summary
Cathepsin D, an acidic protease, is overexpressed in breast cancer, promoting tumor growth and metastasis. Its elevated levels correlate with cancer spread, especially in lymph node-negative cases, highlighting its role in invasion.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Cathepsin D is an acidic lysosomal protease found in all cells.
- Its role in breast cancer, particularly estrogen receptor-positive and negative cell lines, involves mRNA overexpression and altered protein processing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of cathepsin D in breast cancer progression and metastasis.
- To determine the correlation between cathepsin D levels and patient prognosis.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of cathepsin D mRNA and protein expression in breast cancer cell lines (e.g., MCF7).
- Investigation of cathepsin D's function as an autocrine mitogen and its enzymatic activities in vitro.
- Correlation analysis of cathepsin D concentrations in patient tumor cytosols with metastatic development.
Main Results:
- Estrogens directly induce cathepsin D mRNA transcriptionally in MCF7 cells.
- Overexpressed pro-cathepsin D accumulates in endosomes and is secreted, acting as an autocrine mitogen.
- High cathepsin D levels in primary breast cancer cytosol significantly correlate with metastasis development, independent of other prognostic factors.
Conclusions:
- Overexpression and altered sorting of cathepsin D are implicated in breast cancer invasion and metastasis.
- Cathepsin D serves as a valuable prognostic marker, particularly for lymph node-negative breast tumors.
- Targeting cathepsin D may offer therapeutic strategies for preventing breast cancer metastasis.