Proteinase administration reduces growth of human breast and pancreatic cancer in nude mice and diminishes expression of some tumorigenesis biomarkers
Abstract
The aim of this investigation was to study the effect of proteinases on the growth of human breast or pancreatic cancer cells transplanted to nude mice. Animals were divided into active groups receiving a specific mixture of serine and cysteine proteinases, and control groups receiving saline.
Enzyme treatment significantly reduced tumor growth (up to 50%) Irrespective of the transplanted cell line. To study the effect of proteolytic enzymes on several molecular biomarkers that may play a role in breast cancer tumongenesis, expression of Ki-67, c-erbB-2, bcl-2 and CD-34 was investigated using immunohistochemical examination.
Expression of Ki-67 and c-erbB-2 was significantly reduced in the enzyme-treated animals compared with control animals. Evaluation of necroses revealed that the extent of necrotic tissue in the enzyme-treated mice was approximately 30% lower than in the control group.
In the enzyme group, reduced density of CD44 adhesion molecule was measured on the surface of tumor cells.