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Biomedical subjects

W Ebert

Publications and source records attributed to W Ebert.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

CYFRA 21-1 is a prognostic determinant in non-small-cell lung cancer: results of a meta-analysis in 2063 patients.

The purpose of this study was to determine the prognostic significance of a high pretreatment serum CYFRA 21-1 level (a cytokeratin 19 fragment) adjusted for the effects of well-known co-variables in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This meta-analysis based on individual updated data gathered comprehensive databases from published or unpublished controlled studies dealing with the prognostic effect of serum CYFRA 21-1 level at presentation in NSCLC of any stage (nine institutions, 2063 patients). Multivariate regression was carried out with the Cox model. The proportional hazard assumption for each of the selected variables retained in the final model was originally checked by log minus log plots baseline hazard ratio. The follow-up ranged from 25 to 78 months. A total of 1616 events were recorded. In the multivariate analysis performed at the 1-year end point, a high pretreatment CYFRA 21-1 level was an unfavourable prognostic determinant in all centres except one (Hazard ratio (95% confidence interval): 1.88 (1.64-2.15), P<10(-4)). Other significant variables were stage of the disease, age and performance status. Within the first 18 months, the procedure disclosed a nearly similar hazard ratio for patients having a high pretreatment serum CYFRA 21-1 level (1.62 (1.42-1.86), P<10(-4)). For patients who did not undergo surgery, the hazard ratio during the first year of follow-up was 1.78 (1.54-2.07), P<10(-4). Finally, in the surgically treated population, at the 2-year end point, a high pretreatment CYFRA 21-1 and a locally advanced stage remained unfavourable prognostic determinants. In conclusion CYFRA 21-1 might be regarded as a putative co-variable in analysing NSCLC outcome inasmuch as a high serum level is a significant determinant of poor prognosis whatever the planned treatment.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

[MR angiography of the coronary arteries: comparison of the blood pool contrast medium Gadomer and Gd-DTPA in pigs].

AIM: To investigate the signal-enhancing effects of the macromolecular contrast medium Gadomer in MR angiography of the coronary arteries compared to Gd-DTPA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 15 MRI examinations of the heart were performed in pigs at 1.5 T using a pulse-triggered, segmented 3D FLASH sequence with data acquisition during breathhold before and up to 30 min after contrast medium injection. Gadomer was investigated at two doses (0.05 and 0.1 mmol Gd/kg), Gd-DTPA at one (0.3 mmol Gd/kg) (n = 5 examinations per dose). Standard sequences without magnetization preparation were supplemented by sequences with magnetization saturation applied before data acquisition before and immediately after contrast medium injection. Analysis comprised quantitative determination of blood and myocardium signal to noise (S/N) and contrast to noise (C/N) and qualitative assessment of several parameters of image quality and coronary artery visualization. RESULTS: Gadomer leads to a significant C/N increase between blood and myocardium compared to the unenhanced examination and the increase is longer-lasting than that produced by Gd-DTPA (Gd-DTPA: only directly after injection; Gadomer: up to 5 min post injection at 0.05 mmol Gd/kg, up to 10 min at 0.1 mmol Gd/kg). The qualitative evaluation shows that visualization of the coronary arteries and branch vessels is significantly better with Gadomer at both doses than with Gd-DTPA. Magnetization saturation increases the C/N in combination with Gd-DTPA and at the higher dose of Gadomer with the latter producing a higher increase in C/N values. CONCLUSION: Gadomer is a suitable contrast medium for MR angiography of the coronary arteries with the dose of 0.1 mmol Gd/kg being superior to 0.05 mmol Gd/kg due to a longer imaging window.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Pharmacokinetics of Gadomer-17, a new dendritic magnetic resonance contrast agent.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Gadomer-17 is a new magnetic resonance (MR) contrast medium presently in clinical development. It is a dendritic gadolinium (Gd) chelate carrying 24 Gd ions. This study investigated the pharmacokinetic behavior of this contrast medium. METHODS: The pharmacokinetics of Gadomer-17 were investigated in different species (rat, rabbit, dog, monkey) for up to 7 days after intravenous (i.v.) injection of 25-100 micromol/kg body weight. In addition, elimination and biodistribution were evaluated after single i.v. injection of Gadomer-17 in rats. RESULTS: After i.v. injection Gadomer-17 distributes almost exclusively within the intravascular space without significant diffusion into the interstitial space. The volume of distribution (Vc) in the initial or alpha-phase ranged from 0.04 l/kg (rats, rabbits) to 0.06 l/kg (monkeys) and 0.07 l/kg (dogs), which reflects mainly the plasma volume. The blood/plasma concentration profile was found to be biphasic. The volume of distribution at a steady state is clearly smaller than that of other contrast media, which distribute to the extracellular space. After single i.v. injection in rats, the dendritic contrast medium was rapidly and completely eliminated from the body, mainly via glomerular filtration. No long-term accumulation or retention of the nonmetabolized agent was detectable in organs or tissues. CONCLUSIONS: Gadomer-17 is a promising new MR contrast medium that has an intravascular distribution and a rapid renal elimination.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Cathepsin B in infiltrated lymph nodes is of prognostic significance for patients with nonsmall cell lung carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Tumor cells require specific proteolytic enzymes for invasion and metastasis, including lysosomal peptidases--cathepsins. Cathepsin B is a lysosomal cysteine peptidase, which appears to play a major role in invasion and metastasis of human tumors. In this study, the authors focused on the possible role of cathepsin B in lymphogenic metastasis by investigating the enzyme localization and its activity in lung tumors and corresponding tumor-infiltrated lymph nodes. METHODS: Cathepsin B activity was determined in lung tumors, lung parenchyma, and tumor cell-infiltrated and noninfiltrated regional lymph nodes of the same patient. The authors investigated 35 cancer patients suffering from nonsmall cell lung carcinoma. Cathepsin B throughout activity was measured by cleavage of the fluorogenic substrate Z-Arg-Arg-AMC at pH 6.0. RESULTS: The median specific cathepsin B activity was highest in tumors, followed by the infiltrated lymph nodes, noninfiltrated lymph nodes, and lung parenchyma. The authors showed a significant 1.8-fold increase in cathepsin B activity in tumor-infiltrated lymph nodes compared with noninfiltrated regional lymph nodes and a 4.5-fold increase in lung tumor tissue compared with lung parenchyma. High cathepsin B activity, both in tumors and tumor cell-infiltrated lymph nodes, indicated poor prognosis for overall survival. Immunohistochemical analysis showed the presence of cathepsin B in histiocytes and tumor cells but not in lymphocytes of lymph node tissue. CONCLUSIONS: The authors' findings on higher cathepsin B levels in tumor cell-infiltrated lymph nodes show that increased level of cathepsin B activity is characteristic of the invasive tumor cell phenotype. This corroborates the hypothesis, that tumor cell associated cathepsin B may play a role in lymphogenic metastasis. The authors' results support the use of lymph node associated cathepsin B as a prognostic factor for survival of patients with lung carcinoma.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Cysteine proteinase cathepsin H in tumours and sera of lung cancer patients: relation to prognosis and cigarette smoking.

In order to evaluate the role of cysteine peptidase cathepsin H (Cath H) in human lung cancer its protein levels were determined in 148 pairs of lung tumour tissue and adjacent non-tumourous lung parenchyma using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Additionally, Cath H levels were determined in sera of 171 patients with malignant tumours, 34 patients with benign lung diseases and 47 healthy controls. The median level of Cath H in tumour tissue was 0.64 times that in the corresponding lung parenchyma. Relating tumour levels with histological type we found higher Cath H levels in small-cell and adenocarcinomas and lower levels in squamous cell carcinoma, large-cell carcinoma and secondary tumours. A significant difference in Cath H level between lung tumour tissue and non-tumourous lung parenchyma was associated with the group of cigarette smokers (156 vs 263 ng mg(-1) protein, P < 0.001). For this group of patients Cath H tumour levels correlated with the survival rate, while for the entire patient population this was not the case. Smokers with high tumour levels of Cath H experienced poor survival. Cath H was significantly higher in sera of patients with malignant and benign lung diseases than in control sera (P < 0.001). The increase was significant for all histological types, being the highest in small-cell and squamous cell carcinomas. Our study reveals that in lung tumours there is different behaviour of Cath H compared with other cysteine peptidases, e.g. cathepsin B and cathepsin L. Variations between tissue and serum levels of Cath H indicate either reduced expression or enhanced secretion of this enzyme in lung tumours.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung↗
PubMed2000

Pharmacokinetics of 1M gadobutrol in patients with chronic renal failure.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate the pharmacokinetics of 1M gadobutrol as a new neutral MR contrast agent in patients with impaired renal function. METHODS: Twenty-one patients with impaired renal function and any indication for a contrast-enhanced MRI were enrolled into this prospective study and classified in two subgroups according to their creatinine clearance (group 1, 30-80 mL/ min; group 2, 30 mL/min or less, not requiring dialysis). Eleven patients were assigned to the lower dose of 0.1 mmol Gd/kg and 10 patients to the higher dose of 0.3 mmol Gd/kg. To calculate pharmacokinetic parameters, urine and venous blood samples were drawn at baseline and up to 72 hours for group 1 and 120 hours for group 2 after administration of gadobutrol. RESULTS: The predominant extracellular distribution of gadobutrol at steady state did not change according to the degree of renal impairment. The mean elimination half-life of gadobutrol increased to 7.4 +/- 2.6 hours (0.1 mmol/kg) and 5.4 +/- 1.5 hour (0.3 mmol/kg) in group 1 and to 17.9 +/- 6.2 hours (0.1 mmol/kg) and 20.4 +/- 16.9 hours (0.3 mmol/kg) in group 2, compared with 1.5 hours in healthy volunteers. The relation between serum (tbeta) and urine (t(elim)) elimination half-lives, as well as total serum and renal clearance, indicated renal elimination as the main pathway of elimination. The recovery of gadobutrol in the urine of group 1 was complete within 72 hours for both dosage levels. Patients with severe renal impairment showed a mean recovery of 80.1% (0.1 mmol/kg) and 85.3% (0.3 mmol/kg) within the observation period of 120 hours. CONCLUSIONS: The half-life of gadobutrol is prolonged in patients with impaired renal function, but elimination by means of the kidneys is the predominant route.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed2000

Contrast-enhanced high resolution magnetic resonance imaging of pigmented malignant melanoma using Mn-TPPS4 and Gd-DTPA: experimental results.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of the paramagnetic metalloporphyrin Mn-TPPS4 (using Gd-DTPA as the reference) for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of pigmented malignant melanoma in an animal model. High resolution MRI (2.0 T, 2.0 cm surface coil, T1-weighted FLASH two-dimensional sequence) was performed on 15 mice (C57bl6) with intracutaneous implanted melanoma (B16F1) before and after intravenous administration of Gd-DTPA (Magnevist, Schering AG, Berlin, Germany) and Mn-TPPS4 (Porphyrin Products, Logan, Utah, USA). The images were evaluated quantitatively by calculating the percentage enhancement, the slope of the signal intensity-to-time curves, the percentage increase in the signal intensity, and the signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise ratios. The qualitative evaluation was accomplished by visual assessment of the enhancement, the demarcation of the tumours from the surrounding tissue, and the homogeneity of the tumours. Contrast medium-enhanced images showed an increase in signal intensity for all the tumours, with no significant difference between the contrast media. Specific accumulation of the contrast media in the melanoma could not be proved. Demarcation of tumours from the surrounding tissue is better after administration of contrast media; regressive changed areas were better depicted.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Mechanism of gadophrin-2 accumulation in tumor necrosis.

The molecular mechanism by which gadophrin-2 targets necrotic tumor tissue was investigated. Biodistribution studies and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histologic/autoradiographic correlation were performed in xenograft mouse models bearing human tumors (HT 29, WiDr, LX 1). Binding of gadophrin-2 to DNA, lipids, or proteins was determined by fluorescence spectrophotometry. Protein binding was determined by dialysis and gel electrophoresis. Accumulation of gadophrin-2 was low (<0.7% injected dose/g tissue at 24 hours after injection) in viable tumor but higher in necrotic tumor regions and was readily detectable by MRI. Within a given tumor, the agent preferentially localized in the periphery of necrotic areas. Within these regions gadophrin-2 was bound to interstitial albumin and not other proteins, lipids, or DNA. Tumoral accumulation of gadophrin-2 most likely occurs through its binding to plasma albumin and subsequent slow extravasation into the tumor interstitium.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[Mn-TPPS4 in the diagnosis of malignant skin tumors. In vivo studies with high resolution magnetic resonance tomography in melanotic melanoma].

PURPOSE: Some authors postulate an avidity of certain porphyrin derivatives for tumors. The aim of this study was to examine the contrast enhancement of implanted melanotic melanoma after application of Mn-TPPS4 to achieve a better characterization of this malignant skin tumor. MATERIAL AND METHOD: High-resolution MR imaging (2.0 Tesla, 2.0-cm surface-coil, T1-weighted FLASH-2D-sequence) was performed on 15 mice (C57b16) with intracutaneous implanted melanoma (B16F1), before and after intravenous administration of either Gd-DTPA (Magnevist, Schering, Berlin) as a reference contrast medium, or Mn-TPPS4 (Porphyrin Products, Schering, Berlin). The images were evaluated quantitatively by calculating percentage enhancement, slope of signal intensity-to-time curves, percentage increase of the signal intensity, signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise-ratios. The qualitative evaluation was accomplished by visual assessment of the enhancement, the demarcation of the tumors from the surrounding tissue and the homogeneity of the tumors. RESULTS: Contrast medium-enhanced images showed an increased signal intensity from all tumors with no signifikant difference between the contrast media. Demarcation of tumors from the surrounding tissue was better following administration of contrast media; regressive and altered areas was more clearly depicted. CONCLUSION: A specific accumulation of the metalloporphyrin Mn-TPPS4 in melanotic melanoma could not be proved. Based on the small and insignifikant differences in the results obtained with the two contrast media, and on the side effects of the metalloporphyrin, the usefulness of Mn-TPPS4 as a contrast medium for MRT is limited.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Fluorometric microassays for the determination of cathepsin L and cathepsin S activities in tissue extracts.

We established a continuous semi-microassay, and for large-scale studies both a stopped and a continuous microtiter plate assay for the fluorometric determination of cathepsin L and cathepsin S activities in body fluids, tissues or cell extracts in the presence of cathepsin B. For the detection of enzymatic activities we used the synthetic substrate Z-Phe-Arg-AMC, and for discrimination between cathepsin L, S and cathepsin B the specific inhibitor CA-074 for blocking interfering cathepsin B activities was applied. Furthermore, we took advantage of the stability of cathepsin S at pH 7.5 for further differentiation between cathepsin L and cathepsin S activities. The kinetic assays were characterized in terms of imprecision, analytical sensitivity, accuracy and substrate concentration. The within-run coefficients of variation were found to be 4.9%-7.2% for the continuous semi-microassay, 10.3%-11.7% for the stopped, and 4.5%-11.8% for the continuous microtiter plate assay. The between-days coefficients of variation for the continuous semi-microassay were 8.1%-8.9%, while for the stopped and continuous microtiter plate assays the coefficients were 11.2%-13.5% and 5.8%-12.2%, respectively. Compared to the continuous semi-microassay, the stopped and the continuous microtiter plate assays showed 3-fold and 11-fold higher sensitivity, respectively. Comparison between the continuous enzyme activity assays at substrate concentrations of 40 microM and 200 microM demonstrated a significant correlation of r = 0.97 and r = 0.99, respectively. The newly developed microtiter plate assay will allow efficient, sensitive and high precision determination of cathepsin L and cathepsin S activities in large-scale studies of cysteine-cathepsin dependent diseases.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Comparison of Gadomer-17 and Gd-DTPA in image quality of contrast-enhanced MR angiographies using flow phantom model.

The purpose of this study was to compare the image quality of 3D-TOF MR angiography (MRA) using Gadomer-17 with that using Gd-DTPA in a flow phantom model, and to present preliminary data about the proper dose concentration of Gadomer-17. In the visual analysis of vessel conspicuity, we compared the quality of pre- and post-contrast MIP images. For quantitative analysis, the signal intensities were measured in the axial base 3D-TOF images, and then the relative contrast enhancement was calculated. The results of our studies were that: 1. Maximal signal intensities were obtained at 1 mmol/L of Gadomer-17 and 4 mmol/L of Gd-DTPA. 2. Flow-related signal loss was decreased by Gd-DTPA proportional to the concentration, but Gadomer-17 did not show such a dose accumulative effect. In conclusion, after comparing the results of Gd-DTPA, it was clear that improved MRA images and higher signal intensities of vessels were obtained when lower concentrations of Gadomer-17 were used.

Contrast Media↗
PubMed1999

Interphase cytogenetic diagnosis of bladder cancer on cells from urine and bladder washing.

In order to determine the value of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in the diagnosis and follow-up of bladder cancer interphase cytogenetics was performed on cells from urine and bladder washings. 50 ml of urine or bladder washings were collected. FISH was carried out using centromere probes for chromosomes 7, 8, 9 and 12 according to standard protocols. In each case 100 cell nuclei were analysed. Fifty-four samples from urine and 67 samples from bladder washing were analysed by FISH in comparison with results obtained by conventional cytology. Sensitivity of detection of tumor cells by FISH was 68.5% in urine and 63% in bladder washings regardless of tumor stage and grade. Sensitivity obtained by conventional cytology was 50% in urine and 77.3% in bladder washings. FISH on cells from urine samples is an effective complement to the standard urine cytology. Using centromere probes this approach is characterized by high specificity and sensitivity in tumors with T-category higher than pTa and grade higher than G1.

Carcinoma, Transitional Cell↗
PubMed1998

Differences in predominant enhancement mechanisms of superparamagnetic iron oxide and ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide for contrast-enhanced portal magnetic resonance angiography. Preliminary results of an animal study original investigation.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of particle size of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) contrast agents on magnetic resonance angiography of the portal venous system. METHODS: We studied eight beagle dogs by a T1-weighted 3D turbo-gradient echo magnetic resonance (MR) angiography sequence (TE 4 milliseconds, TR 11 milliseconds, flip angle 25 degrees, coronal imaging plane) before and after administration of either Resovist (SHU555A), a superparamagnetic iron oxide contrast agent with a mean particle size of 60 nm and a relaxivity ratio R2/R1 of approximately 7, or a new ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) contrast agent with a mean particle size of approximately 20 nm and a R2/R1 ratio of approximately 2. Images were acquired on a 1.5-T MR body scanner. Both agents were injected as a peripheral bolus of 40 mumol Fe/kg body weight. Repeated scans were acquired before, immediately after, and 10, 20, 30, and 40 minutes after administration of the agent. RESULTS: After administration of Resovist, portal venous signal increased to 237% of control immediately after injection, while hepatic parenchymal signal intensity decreased to 86% of control. The maximal CNR increase to 177% was achieved immediately after injection of the agent. After USPIO, portal venous signal increased to 401% of the precontrast value immediately after injection, while hepatic parenchymal signal intensity also increased to 131% of control at this time. Hepatic signal then decreased progressively to 49% of control after 40 minutes. The maximal CNR increase to 326% was achieved 10 minutes after injection of the agent. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that superparamagnetic iron oxide particles of different sizes have different R2/R1 ratios and, consequently, different mechanisms of contrast improvement in T1-weighted portal MR angiograms.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

T1 effects of a bolus-injectable superparamagnetic iron oxide, SH U 555 A: dependence on field strength and plasma concentration--preliminary clinical experience with dynamic T1-weighted MR imaging.

PURPOSE: To investigate the field strength dependency of relaxivity values with SH U 555 A, concentration-dependent T1 effects, and findings at dynamic T1-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in patients with focal liver lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Longitudinal relaxivity (r1) with SH U 555 A was measured in human plasma (0.02-300.00 MHz), and transverse relaxivity (r2) was measured at 10, 20, and 40 MHz. Second, a dilution series in human plasma was used at 1-T, T1-weighted, spin-echo or fast low-angle shot (FLASH) imaging. In 22 patients with focal liver lesions, imaging with the latter sequence was performed with a dose of SH U 555 A of 10 mumol Fe/kg. RESULTS: The r1 of SH U 555 A decreased with increasing field strength, but was higher at high field strengths than r1 values for gadolinium chelates. Enhancement calculations for different iron concentrations in human plasma demonstrated positive enhancement at concentrations less than 700 mumol Fe/L. Enhancement increased with the degree of T1 weighting and was highest for the FLASH sequence with the shortest TE (+81.4% with 300 mumol Fe/L). Enhancement was positive in the liver for at least 30 seconds and in the spleen for at least 480 seconds. CONCLUSION: Signal intensity changes at dynamic T1-weighted MR imaging after bolus injection of SH U 555 A can be explained by dynamic changes in iron-plasma concentration.

Contrast Media↗
PubMed1997

Expression of cysteine protease inhibitors stefin A, stefin B, and cystatin C in human lung tumor tissue.

In human lung tumor tissue specimen (n = 73) concentrations of stefins A and B were found to be increased 2.0-fold (p < 0.01) and 1.3-fold (p < 0.01), respectively, as compared to matched normal tissue. Stefin A and B concentrations were higher in primary tumors than in secondary tumors, i.e. metastases from other organs to the lung (p < 0.01; p < 0.05, respectively). Cystatin C concentrations were rather low and did not differ between tumor and normal tissue. Both concentrations of stefins did not correlate with TNM stages. Stefin A was higher in squamous cell carcinoma than in adenocarcinoma (p < 0.01), while stefin B did not show such a difference. At investigation of a relationship between survival probability of patients with primary tumors it was found that increased stefin B concentrations and total cysteine-protease-inhibitory activities but not stefin A concentrations were positively correlated with survival probability. It is concluded that stefins A and B are major contributors to the cysteine protease inhibitory activity in primary lung tumors. Stefin B proved to be a prognostic factor, especially in squamous cell carcinoma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

[Differentiated metastasis of mature testicular teratoma as differential kidney and adrenal tumor diagnosis].

We report on the eighth known case of a mature metastasis of a mature teratoma of the testis. In a 19-year-old patient who had undergone a pyeloplasty of the left renal pelvis 6 years before, a mature metastasis of an occult mature teratoma of the testis was found at the former operation site. This case--in addition to those published previously--emphasizes the fact that a mature teratoma of the testis has to be regarded as a malignant tumor in adults. It is supposed that the mature teratoma originates, as other testicular tumors, from carcinoma-in-situ-cells, which are responsible for metastasize and are not detected after lysis.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed1997

Cathepsin B fraction active at physiological pH of 7.5 is of prognostic significance in squamous cell carcinoma of human lung.

In this study we examined both the pH dependence of cathepsin B (cath B) activity and its stability at physiological pH of 7.5 in lung tumours and normal lung tissue by means of fluorogenic assays with Z-Arg-Arg-AMC as specific substrate. Specificity was verified with the cath B blocking inhibitors E-64 and CA-074. With respect to pH dependence of activity, we found a deviation from a normal-shaped pH- activity curve. Besides the typical activity peak at pH 6.0, there were shoulders at pH 4.5-5.5 and at pH 7.0-7.5. This heterogeneity was found in both tumour and normal tissue. To test the stability of cath B at physiological pH of 7.5, homogenates were kept at pH 7.5 for 60 min. Altogether, 82-100% of residual cath B activity was found at pH 5.0-5.5, whereas activity in the range between 5.5 and 7.4 dropped drastically to 26-42%. At pH 7.5, there was still 20-34% residual cath B activity detectable. To test the hypothesis whether the cath B fraction active at pH 7.5 is more abundant in tumour tissues compared with the normal counterparts, we determined this fraction in 91 pairs of lung tumour and normal lung tissue. We found a 2.3-fold increase of median cath B fraction active at pH 7.5 in tumour tissue, although this fraction represented only a small part (about 16%) of the native, acidic (pH 6.0) cath B activity. However, in contrast to native cath B at 6.0, the cath B fraction active at pH 7.5 was related to post-operative probability of survival in curatively operated patients, since activity values higher than 292 (muEU mg(-1) protein) were significantly associated with poor prognosis in patients with squamous cell carcinomas (n = 33, P= 0.04). It is concluded that in lung tumour and in normal lung tissue, cath B activity can be divided into at least three fractions with stability optima at different pH values, indicating various forms of cath B. The cath B fraction active at pH 7.5 provides prognostic information in patients with squamous cell carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗