ISSN:
1432-069X
Keywords:
Human malignant melanoma
;
Cathepsin-B-like enzyme activity
;
Cysteine proteinase inhibitor
;
Disease-free interval
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract We studied the relationship between cathepsin B (CB)-like enzyme activities and cysteine proteinase inhibitor (CPI) activities in lesions of human pigmented naevi (PN), primary melanomas (PM) and metastases/metastatic melanomas (MM). The CB-like enzyme activities in PM and MM were 2.5 and 6.8 times higher than in PN, respectively. The CB-like/CPI ratios in PM and MM were 1.9 and 11.6 times higher than in PN, respectively. CPI had the highest activity in PM and the lowest activity in MM. The disease-free interval of patients with a high CB-like enzyme activity (≧80 U/mg protein) and/or a high CB-like/CPI ratio (≧7) was shorter than that of patients with a low CB-like enzyme activity (〈80 U/mg protein) and/or a low CB-like/CPI ratio (〈7). Analysis of CB-like enzyme activity and/or the CB-like/CPI ratio may be useful in predicting the prognosis of human malignant melanoma.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01262334
