[Metal-dependent collagenolytic activity in primary foci and metastatically involved lymph node in melanoma]

Collagenolytic activity was estimated in primary focuses of melanoma, in preparations of normal skin surrounding the tumor, in benign pigmentary neoplasms (nevus) as well as in normal and metastatic lymph nodes. Both metal-dependent and -independent collagenolytic activity was significantly increased in tumoral tissues as compared with that of healthy tissues. At the same time, the collagenolytic activity was considerably lower in benign pigmentary neoplasms than that of melanoma primary focuses. Importance of the collagenolytic enzymes in the processes of melanoma invasion and metastatic spreading is discussed.