| Abstract: | Objective: To explore the relationship between expression of cathepsin D (Cath-D) and tumor cell proliferative activity and prognosis in osteosarcoma. Methods: Expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Cath-D in tumor cells were semiquantitatively anajyzed with immunohistochemistry in a consecutiv e prospective series of 85 cases of osteosarcoma. Results: In 85 cases of osteosarcoma, the Cath-D LI was ranged from 6% - 98. 5% and PCNA LI from 9% - 98%. There was no correlation between the Cath-D LI and the patients' age, sex, tumor size and Dahlin's classification. However, significant correlation was found between the Cath-D LI and new WHO classification in 1993, Price's grade and the PCNA LI. Furthermore, Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the patients with a Cath-D LI less than 66% had a better survival than those with that more than 66%. Conclusion: There is significant relationship between Cath-D expression and survival, suggesting that Cath-D LI might be a useful prognostic indicator in osteosarcoma. |
