Tumor-associated proteolytic factors uPA and PAI-1 in endometrial carcinoma

The levels of plasminogen activator urokinase (uPA) and of its inhibitor (PAI-1) were measured by use of ELISA in the cytosol of tissue homogenates obtained from endometrial carcinomas and the marginal, tumor-free endometrium of postmenopausal patients (n = 64). Significantly higher median levels of uPA and PAI-1 were found in malignant endometrium (uPA 1.89 ng/mg, PAI-1 3.04 ng/mg) compared to tumor-free endometrium (uPA 0.84 ng/mg, PAI-1 1.01 ng/mg). Concerning uPA, no significant differences were found in dependence on histomorphological prognostic factors (staging, grading), but the median level of PAI-1 was significantly higher in G2/G3 carcinomas compared to G1 tumors (5.08 ng/mg vs 2.19 ng/mg). Because of the good prognosis of operated patients with endometrial carcinomas, the prognostic value of uPA and PAI-1 can only be decided by a larger number of patients and a long observation time.