Expression of adipocyte-derived leucine aminopeptidase in endometrial cancer: Association with tumor grade and CA-125

Hideo Kazeto, Seiji Nomura, Norio Ito, Tomomi Ito, Yoshiteru Watanabe, Hiroaki Kajiyama, Kiyosumi Shibata, Kazuhiko Ino, Koji Tamakoshi, Akira Hattori, Fumitaka Kikkawa, Tetsuro Nagasaka, Masafumi Tsujimoto, Shigehiko Mizutani

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Adipocyte-derived leucine aminopeptidase (A-LAP) is a novel zinc-metallopeptidase involved in angiotensin II (AngII) metabolism, cell migration and antigen presentation. These functions are implicated in the progression of cancer, whereas A-LAP expression and involvement have not been studied in any type of cancer. We investigated the expression of A-LAP in endometrial cancer as well as its association with angiogenesis and clinicopathological features. Immunohistochemical staining of 58 endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma specimens revealed that 37 were A-LAP immunoreactive. We also found that A-LAP staining correlated with histological tumor grade in a significant and reverse manner. In addition, serum CA-125 levels in patients with A-LAP positive cancers were significantly higher. However, contrary to our hypothesis that A-LAP suppresses angiogenic activity via AngII metabolism, A-LAP expression was not associated with the microvessel count determined by CD34 immunostaining. Our results suggest that A-LAP is involved in endometrial cancer cell growth and differentiation. However, further studies, especially of the biological roles of A-LAP, are required to confirm this notion.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)203-208
Number of pages6
JournalTumor Biology
Volume24
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2003
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Medicine

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