Background: Recent findings point to the key role of
cathepsin S (CTSS) in the survival of malignant cells, as
well as the significance of the anti-apoptotic properties of
high-density lipoprotein (HDL) that contribute to enhanced
cell survival. The purpose of this study is to analyse CTSS
as a potential biomarker in lymphoma. Also, in order to
better understand the role of CTSS in the origin and development
of lymphoma, its association with cystatin C (Cys
C), lipids, and inflammatory markers was analysed.
Methods: The study included 90 subjects: 11 Hodgkin (HL)
and 44 B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) patients, as
well as 35 healthy subjects. CTSS was determined using
the Invitrogen ELISA kit (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.,
Waltham, MA, USA). The non-denaturing 3%–31% polyacrylamide
gradient gel electrophoresis method was used
to separate plasma HDL particles.
Results: The level of CTSS was significantly higher in NHL
patients than in control subjects: 12.20 (9.75–14.57) vs
9.97 (8.44–10.99), P<0.001. In NHL patients, there was
a positive correlation between CTSS and the proportions of
HDL3a, HDL3b, and the sum of the HDL3 subclasses
(r=0.506, P<0.001; r=0.411, P=0.006, r=0.335,
P=0.026, respectively). In addition, the area under the
receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC curve) of CTSS
was 0.766 (CI: 0.655–0.856) for NHL patients. There was
no significant difference in CTSS values between the control
group and patients with HL, nor significant correlations
between CTSS and HDL subclasses in the HL group.
Conclusions: CTSS is significantly elevated in patients with
NHL and has the potential to be a new diagnostic bio –
marker for the detection of NHL. Also, this study was the
first to unveil the association between serum CTSS levels
and the proportions of anti-apoptotic HDL3a and HDL3b
subclasses in NHL patients.
