The role of proteolytic enzymes in the pathology of epithelial ovarian carcinoma. Review uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Epithelial ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecologic malignancy among North American women. The vast majority of women are diagnosed after the cancer has metastasized into the peritoneum, resulting in a low 5-year survival. Because of difficulties associated with early detection of ovarian carcinoma and the invasive potential of these malignancies, a more detailed understanding of the mechanism(s) by which ovarian carcinomas metastasize may suggest novel therapeutic approaches which could impact favorably on long-term survival. Connective tissue degrading proteinases are necessary for tumor cell invasion and enzymes in the plasminogen activator (PA) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) families have been implicated in ovarian cancer metastasis. The goal of this review is to summarize current data regarding the role of these proteinases in ovarian carcinoma invasion.

publication date

  • March 1, 1998

Research

keywords

  • Carcinoma
  • Endopeptidases
  • Ovarian Neoplasms
  • Plasminogen Activators

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 0031883203

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.3892/ijo.12.3.569

PubMed ID

  • 9472094

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 12

issue

  • 3