Expression of cathepsin L in normal endometrium and endometrial cancer

Abstract Objective : To evaluate the expression of cathepsin L in normal endometrium and endometrial adenocarcinoma. Study Design : Tissue from eight cases of G1 and eight of G2 endometrioid adenocarcinoma, and 15 normal endometrial specimens were examined by immunohistochemistry. Results : In the normal endometrium, cathepsin L was expressed in a few cell layers of the apical part of the glandular epithelium throughout the menstrual cycle. In the carcinomas, there was an inverse correlation between the grade of tumor and the cathepsin L expression. Conclusion : Cathepsin L expression may cease during endometrial carcinogenesis and its expression may be less important in tumor progression than it is in tumors of other tissues.