Stefin B and Cystatin C Deficiency Suppresses Tumor Growth and Alters Tumor Microenvironment in a Breast Cancer Model.

ABSTRACT: Background/Objectives: Cysteine cathepsins and their endogenous inhibitors have been shown to possess context-dependent functions in cancer progression, including the regulation of tumor metabolic pathways. Stefin B and cystatin C, intracellular and extracellular protease inhibitors, respectively, can modulate tumor biology through protease-dependent and protease-independent mechanisms. This study investigated their combined functions and potential roles as tumor promoters in breast cancer in a spontaneous breast cancer mouse model (PyMT mice). Methods: We generated PyMT transgenic mice lacking both stefin B and cystatin C (double-knockout, DKO) and compared their tumor growth kinetics, proliferation, apoptosis, and metastatic burden with those of wild-type control mice. Immu

SUBMITTER: Matjan Stefin P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12939340 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature