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Urokinase‐plasminogen‐activator levels and prognosis in 69 soft‐tissue sarcomas
Author(s) -
Choong Peter F. M.,
Fernö Mårten,
Åkerman Måns,
Willén Helena,
Långström Eva,
Gustaeson Pelle,
Alvegård Thor,
Rydholm Anders
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
international journal of cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.475
H-Index - 234
eISSN - 1097-0215
pISSN - 0020-7136
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0215(19960822)69:4<268::aid-ijc5>3.0.co;2-v
Subject(s) - leiomyosarcoma , sarcoma , metastasis , pathology , soft tissue , soft tissue sarcoma , liposarcoma , plasminogen activator , synovial sarcoma , extracellular matrix , urokinase , medicine , biology , cancer research , cancer , microbiology and biotechnology
The local and systemic invasiveness of soft‐tissue sarcomas may depend upon an interaction between the primary tumour and the extracellular matrix in which the proteolytic enzyme, urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), may have an important role. We analyzed the expression of uPA in soft‐tissue sarcoma using a luminescent immunoassay technique, and examined the relationships between different uPA levels and tumour characteristics and behaviour. We evaluated 69 adult patients with surgically treated soft‐tissue sarcomas (MFH 43, leiomyosarcoma 8, liposarcoma 5, synovial sarcoma 4, others 9) of the extremities and trunk wall. Sixteen developed local recurrences, 26 developed metastases, and 5 had both. The median follow‐up for survivors was 55 (30–80) months. The median uPA level was 1.4 (0.04–10.6) ng/mg protein. Increasing uPA levels correlated with increasing grade, malignant fibrous histiocytomas, leiomyosarcomas, DNA non‐diploidy, tumour necrosis, local recurrence, and metastasis. Storiform‐pleomorphic MFH had higher uPA levels than the myxoid variant. A cut‐off value of 0.25 ng/mg protein was identified, above which local recurrence and metastasis occurred more frequently. High uPA levels appear to reflect the malignant phenotype in soft‐tissue sarcoma, thus supporting the role of uPA as a prognostic indicator. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.