Cathepsin B (CB) is a tumour-associated cysteine peptidase, which plays an important role in the proteolytic cascade involved in cancer invasion. Therefore, pro-drugs specifically activated by CB are expected to possess enhanced tumour selected properties. This paper presents the actual stage of knowledge on anticancer therapy strategies using CB as a side-specific activator of immuno- or polymer-conjugates (Antibody Directed Enzyme Pro-Drug Therapy or Polymer Directed Enzyme Pro-Drug Therapy, respectively). Usefulness of CB determinations in the laboratory diagnosis of neoplastic diseases is also presented.
The paper presents a review of results concerning the role of host cysteine proteases, especially cathepsin B and cystatins in periodontal pathogenesis. Special attention was paid to the potential use of those biochemical parameters as biomarkers of periodontal disease activity.
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