The prognostic value of the expression of collagenase IV, cathepsin D and metallothionein in squamous cell carcinomas of the skin determined by immunohistochemistry
- Resource Type
- Original Paper
- Authors
- Goldmann, T.; Moorkamp, Andrea; Wiedorn, Klaus Hermann; Suter, Ludwig; Otto, Friedrich
- Source
- Archives of Dermatological Research. March 2001 293(3):115-120
- Subject
- Keywords Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin
Metastasis
Cathepsin
Collagenase
Metallothionein
- Language
- English
- ISSN
- 0340-3696
1432-069X
Abstract We analyzed 53 specimens from primary squamous cell carcinomas of the skin for the expression of collagenase IV, cathepsin D and metallothionein by means of immunohistochemistry along with histological data. We compared tumors that metastasized (30) with tumors that did not (23) during a follow-up period of at least 5 years. The expression of the two proteolytic enzymes cathepsin D and collagenase IV was also assessed at the invading front of the tumors. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences for the overall expression of cathepsin D (P < 0.05), expression of cathepsin at the invading front (P < 0.05) and the tumor thickness (P < 0.01). The results showed that cathepsin D may be a prognostic factor for squamous cell carcinomas of the skin. We then combined the results of parameters with statistically significant differences by multiplication. The prognostic value of such a combined risk-factor score showed higher confidence than any of the single parameters alone: a sensitivity of 63.3%, a specificity of 87.0% and an efficiency of 73.6%. This kind of combined risk-factor score might be used to more accurately detect patients at high risk of metastasis.: