| abstract |
(57) [Summary]nThe present invention relates to a method for detecting malignant or pre-malignant lesions or pathological conditions in breast or other tissues by detecting the presence of a single or double-stranded form of matriptase in the tissue. The present invention further relates to a method of treating a malignant lesion having a matriptase-producing phenotype, wherein a major formation-inhibiting amount of a Bowman-Birk inhibitor (BBIC) or a matriptase inhibitor is administered. The invention also relates to nucleic acids encoding matriptase protein or fragments thereof, and modeling thereof for structural interpretation and identification of other matriptase inhibitors, and methods for identifying matriptase modifying agents such as activators and inhibitors. |