[Prognostic significance of determining cathepsin B activity in malignant ovarian tumors].

Malignant tumors derived from 60 patients with primary ovarian cancer were assayed for lysosomal cysteine proteinases--cathepsins B and L (Cat B, Cat L) and lysosomal aspartyl proteinase--cathepsin D (Cat D) as compared with benign ovarian tumors in controls. Malignant ovarian tumors exhibited significantly increased Cat B and Cat L activity (18.5- and 9-fold, respectively, p < 0.