IMPACT OF TRANSCRIPTION FACTORS, VEGF AND PROTEASES ON KIDNEY CANCER PROGRESSION

Introduction. The efficacy of anticancer treatment depends on biological factors of tumor. The aim of the study was to determine the activity of proteasomes and calpains and to  reveal their association with VEGF, HIF-1α and NF-κΒ expressions in normal, primary and metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) tissues. Methods. Ninety-three patients with renal cell carcinoma were included into the study. The expression levels of transcription factor and VEGF were measured using ELISA kits. The  levels of proteasome subunits were measured by Western Blotting. Proteasome and calpain  activities were determined using specific fluorogenic  substrates. Results. We revealed inactivation of proteolysis in patients with kidney cancer. Disease advance was associated with a significant depression of cellular proteolysis and increase in  transcription and growth factor levels in primary kidney cancer tissues. The proteolysis  activation was found in metastatic tissues. Conclusions. Our results suggest that NF-κΒ, HIF-1α and VEGF transcription factors and intracellular proteolytic systems are involved in kidney cancer progression.