Collagenase activity in squamous cell carcinoma of the human parotid gland

A collagenase obtained from a single squamous cell carcinoma of human parotid gland was purified to homogeneity by procedures including precipitation with ammonium sulfate, gel filtration, ion-exchange chromatography with DEAE-cellulose, and extraction from polyacrylamide gel after electrophoresis. The parotid tumor collagenase had a molecular weight of approximately 68,000 and appeared similar to other mammalian collagenases in many respects such as action on collagen and response to common collagenase inhibitors. Analysis of specimens of various human parotid gland tumors revealed that the levels of collagenase activity were higher in squamous cell carcinoma than in nonsquamous tumors. A high level of collagenase activity from squamous cell carcinoma suggests that collagenase may promote local connective tissue destruction associated with tumor invasion and lymph node metastasis.