Prognostic value of cytosolyc cathepsin D content in resectable gastric cancer

Background and Aims Cathepsin D (Cath‐D) is an aspartyl protease involved in protein catabolism and tissue remodelling. In the present article, we evaluate the tumor content of Cath‐D in resectable gastric carcinomas and its relation with clinical and pathological parameters, as well as its prognostic significance. Method This prospective study included a series of 60 patients with primary gastric adenocarcinoma, who first underwent a complete surgical resection of their tumors and then were evaluated for disease recurrence and survival status during a mean follow‐up period of 41.5 months. Cath D was measured in cytosolic samples using an immune‐radiometric assay which determined the total amount of Cath‐D (52K, 48K, and 34K). Results The tumor content of Cath‐D ranged from 4 to 247 pmol/mg protein and from 6.4 to 97.7 pmol/mg protein in adjacent non‐neoplastic mucosa samples. Cytosolic Cath‐D levels were significantly higher in neoplastic tissues (P