Clinical, biochemical and molecular biology studies have identified lysosome-encapsulated cellular
proteases as critical risk factors for
cancer progression.
Cathepsins represent a group of such
proteases aimed at maintenance of cellular homeostasis. Nevertheless, recent reports suggest that
Cathepsin B executes other cellular programs such as controlling
tumor growth, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, and
metastases development. In fact, elevated levels of
Cathepsins are found under different pathological conditions including
inflammation,
infection,
neurodegenerative disease, and
cancer. Furthermore, the discovery of
Cathepsin B secretion and function as an
extracellular matrix protein has broadened our appreciation for the impact of
Cathepsin B on
cancer progression. Underneath a façade of an intracellular
protease with limited therapeutic potential hides a central role of
cathepsins in extracellular functions. Moreover, this role is incredibly diverse from one condition to the next - from driving caspase-dependent apoptosis to facilitating
tumor neovascularization and
metastasis. Here we discuss the role of
Cathepsin B in the oncogenic process and perspective the use of
Cathepsin B for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.