HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by PIETRAS, R. J. Articles by OREVI, M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by PIETRAS, R. J. Articles by OREVI, M.

Elevated Serum Cathepsin Bl and Vaginal Pathology After Prenatal DES Exposure

From the Deparlmenl of Biology al ihe Molecular Biology Inslitule, and the Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of California, Los Angeles, California, and the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, al the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Abstract

Activities of the lysosomal enzymes, cathepsin Bl (CB1), 0- glucuronidase, and /7-yV-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase, as well as sialyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase, and placenta-like alkaline phosphatase, were determined on blind-coded serums from 99 women exposed to diethylstilbestrol (DES) in utero and 40 unexposed subjects of comparable age range. Cathepsin Bl averaged 100%, 1040% (P<0.001), 2720% (P<0.001), and 4760% (P<0.001) of controls in DES-exposed women with no genital tract abnormalities (N=11), adenosis (N=68), adenosis with concomitant dysplasia (N=IS), and clear-cell adenocarcinoma (N=5), respectively. The latter two groups also exhibited modest increments in serum sialyl transferase activity (P<0.01). Activities of the other four enzymes in serums of DESexposed women were unchanged from those of controls, suggesting that alterations in CB1 were not due to generalized increases in lysosomal membrane instability or other gross cellular damage. In 2 DES-exposed women with clear-cell adenocarcinoma, from whom serial samples were available, preoperative levels of serum CB1 fell from a mean of 4280% to values indistinguishable from controls by 7-12 days after tumor excision, concurrently with objective signs of remission. Recrudescence of serum CB1 levels preceded by at least 3 months clinical evidence of persistent adenosis accompanied by vaginal dysplasia. Although the nature of the increments in CBl-like activity in the majority of subjects with DES-related pathology remains to be determined, the findings may complement present methods of physical diagnosis and prognosis.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K. Honn, P Cavanaugh, C Evens, J. Taylor, and B. Sloane Tumor cell-platelet aggregation: induced by cathepsin B-like proteinase and inhibited by prostacyclin Science, August 6, 1982; 217(4559): 540 - 542. [Abstract] [PDF]

				B. Sloane, Dunn JR, and K. Honn Lysosomal cathepsin B: correlation with metastatic potential Science, June 5, 1981; 212(4499): 1151 - 1153. [Abstract] [PDF]