Role of urokinase in colorectal neoplasia

Abstract

Abstract The biofunctional activity of the plasminogen activators urokinase and tissue plasminogen activator has been measured in extracts from 50 colorectal carcinomas and 21 adenomas using a bioimmunoassay. Compared with control mucosa urokinase activity was significantly-elevated in adenomas (P<0.001) and carcinomas, levels being significantly higher in carcinomas (P<0.05). In contrast tissue plasminogen activator activity was reduced in adenomas (P<0.01) and carcinomas, levels being significantly lower in carcinomas (P<0.01). Although enzyme activity did not relate to Dukes' stage or histological grade urokinase activity was higher in carcinomas with venous invasion (n = 17, P<0.05), in those with moderate or extensive local spread (n = 27, P<0.05) and in cases where a palliative resection only was feasible because of advanced disease (n = 8, P<0.05). Urokinase has been implicated in tissue degradation as well as fibrinolysis and may play a role in tumour invasion and metastasis in human colorectal neoplasia.