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Cathepsin S expression: An independent prognostic factor in glioblastoma tumours—a pilot study
Author(s) -
Flannery Thomas,
McQuaid Stephen,
McGoohan Caroline,
McConnell Robert S.,
McGregor Gordon,
Mirakhur Meenakshi,
Hamilton Peter,
Diamond James,
Cran Gordon,
Walker Brian,
Scott Christopher,
Martin Lorraine,
Ellison David,
Patel Chirag,
Nicholson Clare,
Mendelow David,
McCormick Derek,
Johnston Patrick G.
Publication year - 2006
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/ijc.21911
Subject(s) - cats , astrocytoma , immunohistochemistry , pathology , glioma , medicine , anaplastic astrocytoma , biology , cancer research
Cysteine proteinases have been implicated in astrocytoma invasion. We recently demonstrated that cathepsin S (CatS) expression is up‐regulated in astrocytomas and provided evidence for a potential role in astrocytoma invasion (Flannery et al. , Am J Path 2003;163(1):175–82). We aimed to evaluate the significance of CatS in human astrocytoma progression and as a prognostic marker. Frozen tissue homogenates from 71 patients with astrocytomas and 3 normal brain specimens were subjected to ELISA analyses. Immunohistochemical analysis of CatS expression was performed on 126 paraffin‐embedded tumour samples. Fifty‐one astrocytoma cases were suitable for both frozen tissue and paraffin tissue analysis. ELISA revealed minimal expression of CatS in normal brain homogenates. CatS expression was increased in grade IV tumours whereas astrocytoma grades I–III exhibited lower values. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a similar pattern of expression. Moreover, high‐CatS immunohistochemical scores in glioblastomas were associated with significantly shorter survival (10 vs. 5 months, p = 0.014). With forced inclusion of patient age, radiation dose and Karnofsky score in the Cox multivariate model, CatS score was found to be an independent predictor of survival. CatS expression in astrocytomas is associated with tumour progression and poor outcome in glioblastomas. CatS may serve as a useful prognostic indicator and potential target for anti‐invasive therapy. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.