PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to find out what clinicopathologic or immunohistochemical parameter that may affect FDG uptake of primary tumor in PET/CT scan of the gastric carcinoma patient. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-nine patients with stomach cancer who underwent pre-operative FDG PET/CT scans were included. In cases with perceptible FDG uptake in primary tumor, the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) was calculated. The clinicopathologic results such as depth of invasion (T stage), tumor size, lymph node metastasis, tumor differentiation and Lauren's classification and immunohistochemical markers such as Ki-67 index, expression of p53, EGFR, Cathepsin D, c-erb-B2 and COX-2 were reviewed. RESULTS: Nineteen out of 89 gastric carcinomas showed imperceptible FDG uptake on PET/CT images. In cases with perceptible FDG uptake in primary tumor, SUVmax was significantly higher in T2, T3 and T4 tumors than T1 tumors (5.8+/-3.1 vs. 3.7+/-2.1, p=0.002). SUVmax of large tumors (above or equal to 3 cm) was also significantly higher than SUVmax of small ones (less than 3 cm) (5.7+/-3.2 vs. 3.7+/-2.0, p=0.002). The intestinal types of gastric carcinomas according to Lauren showed higher FDG uptake compared to the non-intestinal types (5.4+/-2.8 vs. 3.7+/-1.3, p=0.003). SUVmax between p53 positive group and negative group was significantly different (6.0+/-2.8 vs. 4.4+/-3.0, p=0.035). No significant difference was found in presence of LN metastasis, tumor differentiation, Ki-67 index, and expression of EGFR, Cathepsin D, c-erb-B2 and COX-2. CONCLUSION: T stage of gastric carcinoma influenced the detectability of gastric cancer on FDG PET/CT scan. When gastric carcinoma was perceptible on PET/CT scan, T stage, size of primary tumor, Lauren's classification and p53 expression were related to degree of FDG uptake in primary tumor.
Cathepsin D ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Stomach Neoplasms

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prognostic significances of p53 and cathepsin D in the prostatic carcinoma, we compared them to other prognostic factors, such as nuclear grade and clinical stage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The material consisted of 40 paraffin-embedded, primary prostate carcinomas. We examined the expression of p53 and cathepsin D using immunohistochemical staining and compared their expression with the grade and stage. RESULTS: The expressions of p53 were noted in the nucleus of tumor cells and cathepsin D were noted in the cytoplasm of tumor cells. Thirteen of 40 tumors were positive for p53. There were more expressing p53 in samples (40%) from prostatic cancer with a high Gleason score group than in samples (28%) from prostatic cancer with low Gleason score group. The expression of p53 was 22% in clinical stage B and C groups and 35% in clinical stage D group. These results showed that p53 expression was not statistically correlated with Gleason score and clinical stage, but there were trends to increased p53 expression with high Gleason score and progressed clinical stage (p>0.05). Progressed clinical stage group showed higher expression of cathepsin D than early clinical stage group. However, there were no statistical correlations between expression of cathepsin D and Gleason score, and clinical stage (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the overexpression of p53 and cathepsin D may be associated with tumor differentiation and clinical stage, but have limited prognostic value in prostatic carcinoma.
Cathepsin D* ; Cathepsins* ; Cytoplasm ; Neoplasm Grading ; Prostate ; Prostatic Neoplasms

Twenty six cases of primary adenocarcinoma of the prostate, ranging from 4 to 9 according to Gleason's summing score, were studied. Immunoreactivity was evaluated using the rabbit polyclonal anti-Cathepsin D antibody (CD), a mouse monoclonal MMP-2 antibody (MMP-2), and a tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase (TIMP) in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded prostatic tissue. Immunohistochemical staining was scored by summing the intensity of staining (0 to 3+) weighted by the percentage of tumor staining at each intensity (H score, theoretical range 0 to 300). For CD, the tumor cells showed diffuse cytoplasmic immunoreactivity in all 26 cases (100%). For MMP-2 the tumor cells showed cytoplasmic immunoreactivity in 17 of 26 cases (65.38%). As the Gleason grade increased the expression of CD increased (P=0.0027). The reactivity of CD was significantly correlated with the Gleason's score (R=0.65637), but, the reactivity of MMP-2 was not correlated. There were no significant correlations between each of the CD and the MMP-2 scores, and stage. TIMP expression was predominantly localized in the stroma rather than in the cancer cells themselves. We believe that 1) CD and MMP-2, both immunohistochemically detectable in a majority of prostate adenocarcinoma, may play a role in determination of the invasive or metastatic property, 2) the enhanced TIMP expression in the stroma may be associated with the response to cancer invasion.
Adenocarcinoma ; Animals ; Cathepsin D* ; Cathepsins* ; Cytoplasm ; Mice ; Prostate*

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; enzymology ; pathology ; Cathepsin B ; metabolism ; Cathepsin D ; metabolism ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; enzymology ; pathology ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Neoplasm Invasiveness

This study was carried out to investigate diurnal changes of lysosomes includ ing ultrastructural changes of phagosomes and activity of acid phosphatase in the phagosomes and diurnal biochemical changes of cathepsin D activity of rab bits. The eyes were obtained at 0:00, 4:00, 8:00, 12:00, 16:00 and 20:00 o'clock. The number of lysosomes and phagosomes in retinal pigment epithelium(RPE) was the highest at 8:00 o'clock, thereafter decreased with time. There were three types of phagosomes; fresh phagosomes showed both negative and positive reactions, lamellar bodies positive, and dense bodies partially positive. The biochemical activity of cathepsin D was the highest at 8:00 o'clock consistent with the time of peak in phagocytic activities of RPE. According to the above results, it would be suggested that the maximum shedding of outer segments and phagocytic activity of RPE occurred on the early stage after sunlight exposure, and that the phagosomes were degraded to the lamellar bodies and dense bodies sequentially. And also activity of the cathepsin D would be increased consistent with the phagocytic activity of RPE.
Acid Phosphatase ; Cathepsin D ; Lysosomes ; Phagosomes ; Retinal Pigment Epithelium* ; Retinaldehyde* ; Sunlight

Angiogenesis is essential for tumor growth and metastasis, however, the prognostic value of neovascularization is undetermined. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prognostic significance of microvessel density (MVD) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in breast carcinomas. An immunohistochemical stains for CD 31 (DAKO) to estimate MVD and VEGF (Santa Cruz) were done on 40 cases of invasive breast carcinoma. MVD was calculated as an average count of vessels per 200 power field in the most vascularized areas. VEGF expression was interpreted according to staining intensity and number of positive cells. Mean MVD was 35, and MVD was not correlated with lymph node metastasis or histologic grade, but high MVD (mean MVD>35) showed an increasing tendency in cases with larger size, negative ER/PR, and positive cathepsin D. All of the cases showed VEGF expression, but VEGF expression was not correlated with tumor size, histologic grade, lymph node metastasis, ER/PR status, and cathepsin D expression. These results suggest that MVD and VEGF expressions are not reliable prognostic factors.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Cathepsin D ; Coloring Agents ; Lymph Nodes ; Microvessels* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*

PURPOSE: Most treatment decisions for breast cancer patients are based on an assesment of prognostic factors. Tumor markersB (p53, c-erbB2, bcl-2, Cathepsin D) have been evaluated for their prognostic factors and many studies suggest that these factors as assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) may be helpful for treatment decisions, while the risk group for high relapse can not be discriminated by single tumor marker alone. In order to obtain useful prognostic information, several tumor marker expressions must be combined and weighted. METHODS: The expressions of ER, PR, p53, c-erbB2, bcl-2, Cathepsin D were detected by IHC on paraffin-embedded sections from 449 primary breast cancer patients treated at Seoul National University Hospital between January 1996 and December 1998. In the present study, tumor marker expressions were analyzed along with conventional clinicopathologic factors. Additionally, correlations between various tumor marker expressions were examined and combinations of tumor marker expressions relating pathologic parameters currently in use for primary breast cancer prognosis were investigated. RESULTS: ER, PR, bcl-2, Cathepsin D expressions were related to smaller tumor size and PR was related to less axillary nodal involvement. ER, PR, bcl-2 expressions were related to good NG and HG, while p53 expression wasrelatedto poor NG and HG. ER and PR expression were related to bcl-2 expression, c-erbB2 expression was related to p53 expression and c-erbB2 expression was related to Cathepsin D expression. ER /bcl-2 was more prevalent in NG 1 and HG III tumors. ER /p53 and p53 /bcl-2 were more prevalent in NG 2/3 and HG I/II tumors. p53 /c-erbB2 was more prevalent in NG 1 tumors. CONCLUSION: Combinations of tumor marker expressions ER/bcl-2, ER/p53, p53/c-erbB2, p53/bcl2 provides more detailed information concerning cancer aggressiveness.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Cathepsin D* ; Cathepsins* ; Equidae ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Seoul

No abstract available.
Cathepsin D* ; Cathepsins* ; Cell Cycle* ; Flow Cytometry ; Immunohistochemistry ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen*

BACKGROUND: It is known that cathepsin D expression in host stromal cells is associated with a more aggressive tumor behavior in breast cancers. METHODS: Cathepsin D expression was examined in 222 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma (CA) and 25 cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) by the immunohistochemical staining. Cathepsin D expression was evaluated according to the expression site, either in the tumor cells (CD-T) or in the stromal cells (CD-S), and graded according to the immunopositivity. The differences of CD-T and CD-S in each case were evaluated according to the pathologic parameters and estrogen receptor (ER)/progesterone receptor (PR) status. RESULTS: The rate of CD-S was significantly higher in the CA than in the DCIS (p<0.0001). In the CA, the rate of CD-S was higher than that of CD-T, while in the DCIS, the rate of CD-T was higher than that of CD-S. In the CA, the rate of CD-S and the tumor grade showed a positive relationship (p=0.0281). There were positive correlations between the ER positivity and CD-S (p=0.0236), and between the PR positivity and CD-T (p=0.0246). For the DCIS, no significant relationships were noted between the pathologic parameters including ER/PR status and CD-T/CD-S. CONCLUSION: Cathepsin D expression in the stromal cells seems to be related to the invasiveness and aggressive biological behavior in breast cancers. In addition, there might be some relationship betweeen the ER positivity and CD-S, and between the PR positivity and CD-T.
Breast Neoplasms ; Breast* ; Carcinoma, Ductal* ; Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating* ; Cathepsin D* ; Cathepsins* ; Estrogens ; Stromal Cells

PURPOSE: Cathepsin D, a lysosomal protease has been proposed to play a role in the local invasion and metastatic dissemination in primary breast cancer. Although there are many conflicting results, the overexpression of cathepsin D has been considered to be related with a poorer prognosis of breast cancer. This study was designed to verify whether cathepsin D expression is related to other prognostic factors in breast cancer. METHODS: Cathepsin D was assessed by immunohistochemistry using murine monoclonal anti-cathepsin D antibody (ZyMED) in 79 paraffin-embedded primary breast cancer specimens. Cathepsin D expression was compared to other prognostic parameters such as tumor size, axillary lymph node metastasis, tumor histologic grades, hormone receptors (ER & PR), p53, c-erb B2, Ki-67, MVD (microvessel density), and Pgp (P-glycoprotein). RESULTS: A high-expression of cathepsin D was found in 35 of 79 patients (44.3%) with primary breast cancer. Cathepsin D expression was not related to tumor size, axillary lymph node metastasis, tumor histologic grades, hormone receptors, p53, Ki-67, or CD31. However, a significant relationship was found between cathepsin D expression and c-erb B2 (p=0.007), and between cathepsin D expression and Pgp (p=0.003). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that cathepsin D expression may be an indicator of a poor prognosis in breast cancer. However, further studies are required to verify the xact role of cathepsin D in the prognosis of breast cancer.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Cathepsin D* ; Cathepsins* ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis