Characterization of mast cells according to their content of tryptase and chymase in normal and neoplastic human uterine cervix.

Mast cells (MC) have been associated with diverse human cancers. The primary function of these cells is to store and release a number of biologically active mediators, including the serine proteases tryptase and chymase. These proteases have been closely related with angiogenesis and tumor invasion, two critical steps during tumor progression.