<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><bold>Background.</bold> Up-regulation of lysosomal cysteine protease cathepsin X (Cat X) is associated with disorders of the immune system and neurodegenerative diseases, while its role in the development and progression of cancer is less understood. Enhanced secretion of pro-Cat X was observed in malignant processes, and therefore, the level of total serum Cat X rather than the active enzyme may better reflect the tumour status.<bold>Patients and methods.</bold> Seventy-seven patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) were included in a retrospective study. Blood samples were collected prior to therapy. Using ELISA, the values of total Cat X were measured in serum. Groups of healthy persons (n=77), patients with adenomas (n=77) and patients with non-neoplastic findings (n=77) were included.<bold>Results.</bold> Significant differences between the group of colorectal patients and the groups of healthy persons, adenoma patients and patients with non-malignant findings could not be shown (p=0.89). Within the group of CRC, higher levels of total Cat X significantly correlated to shorter overall survival (HR=2.08, 95% CI:1.07-4.05, p=0.028).<bold>Conclusions.</bold> Total serum Cat X could be a useful prognostic indicator for determining survival of patients with CRC. Increased serum levels of total Cat X may reflect more aggressive tumour cell phenotypes and suggest the involvement of Cat X in processes involved in later stages of tumour progression.</abstract>

Background. Up-regulation of lysosomal cysteine protease cathepsin X (Cat X) is associated with disorders of the immune system and neurodegenerative diseases, while its role in the development and progression of cancer is less understood. Enhanced secretion of pro-Cat X was observed in malignant processes, and therefore, the level of total serum Cat X rather than the active enzyme may better reflect the tumour status.Patients and methods. Seventy-seven patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) were included in a retrospective study. Blood samples were collected prior to therapy. Using ELISA, the values of total Cat X were measured in serum. Groups of healthy persons (n=77), patients with adenomas (n=77) and patients with non-neoplastic findings (n=77) were included.Results. Significant differences between the group of colorectal patients and the groups of healthy persons, adenoma patients and patients with non-malignant findings could not be shown (p=0.89). Within the group of CRC, higher levels of total Cat X significantly correlated to shorter overall survival (HR=2.08, 95% CI:1.07-4.05, p=0.028).Conclusions. Total serum Cat X could be a useful prognostic indicator for determining survival of patients with CRC. Increased serum levels of total Cat X may reflect more aggressive tumour cell phenotypes and suggest the involvement of Cat X in processes involved in later stages of tumour progression.

Cathepsin X in serum from patients with colorectal cancer: relation to prognosis

Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia

The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, DK2200 Copenhagen, Denmark

Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark

Faculty of Surgery and Anaesthesiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

Department of Biotechnology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Radiology and Oncology

{"article-title":"Cathepsin X in serum from patients with colorectal cancer: relation to prognosis"}

Background. Up-regulation of lysosomal cysteine protease cathepsin X (Cat X) is associated with disorders of the immune system and neurodegenerative diseases,...

Cathepsin X in serum from patients with colorectal cancer: relation to prognosis

Published Online: Jul 24, 2012

Page range: 207 - 212

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10019-012-0040-0

Keywords
cysteine cathepsins, cathepsin X, colorectal cancer, prognosis, serum biomarker

This content is open access.

Cathepsin X in serum from patients with colorectal cancer: relation to prognosis

Published Online: Jul 24, 2012

Page range: 207 - 212

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10019-012-0040-0

Keywordscysteine cathepsins, cathepsin X, colorectal cancer, prognosis, serum biomarker

This content is open access.

Keywords
cysteine cathepsins, cathepsin X, colorectal cancer, prognosis, serum biomarker