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World J Gastroenterol. Oct 7, 2014; 20(37): 13246-13257
Published online Oct 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i37.13246
Impact of proteolytic enzymes in colorectal cancer development and progression
László Herszényi, Loránd Barabás, István Hritz, Gábor István, Zsolt Tulassay
László Herszényi, Zsolt Tulassay, 2nd Department of Medicine, Semmelweis University, H-1088 Budapest, Hungary
Loránd Barabás, Gábor István, 2nd Department of Surgery, Semmelweis University, H-1024 Budapest, Hungary
István Hritz, 1st Department of Medicine, Fejér Megyei Szent György University Teaching Hospital, H-8000 Székesfehérvár, Hungary
Author contributions: Herszényi L, Barabás L, Hritz I, István G and Tulassay Z contributed equally to this work; Herszényi L, Barabás L and Hritz I wrote the paper; István G contributed to the revision of the manuscript; Tulassay Z critically revised the manuscript for important intellectual content.
Correspondence to: László Herszényi, MD, DSc, 2nd Department of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Szentkirályi str. 46, H-1088 Budapest, Hungary. herszenyi.laszlo@med.semmelweis-univ.hu
Telephone: +36-1-2660926  Fax: +36-1-2660816
Received: October 26, 2013
Revised: January 26, 2014
Accepted: May 23, 2014
Published online: October 7, 2014
Core Tip

Core tip: Tumor invasion and metastasis is a highly complex phenomenon. Proteolytic enzymes (proteinases) are involved in the degradation of extracellular matrix, in colorectal cancer (CRC) invasion and metastasis, as well as in the malignant transformation of colorectal adenomas. Tissue and serum-plasma antigen concentrations of proteinases are strong prognostic factors in CRC and may have tumor marker impact for early diagnosis. Proteolytic enzymes may serve as potential target molecules for CRC therapy. Their use in combination with established chemotherapeutic strategies might have the potential to become a valuable oncological treatment modality.