Prognostic significance of cyclin a expression in meningiomas

Unconstrained cell proliferation is characteristic of tumors. It is caused by the functional disorders of proteins that constitute the cell cycle mechanism. The cell cycle is controlled by cyclins, cyclin-dependent kinases, and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors. Many reports have proved, in cancers, that cyclins, cyclin-dependent kinases, and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors are out of control. Cyclin A is a protein that regulates critical transition of the cell cycle. The expression of cyclin A in meningiomas by immunohistochemical method was investigated. Furthermore, the correlation among cyclin A expression, clinical course, and proliferative potential were also evaluated. Seventy-seven meningiomas were studied. The mean cyclin A labeling indices were as follows: benign meningiomas, 1.01% +/- 0.62%; atypical meningiomas, 4.23% +/- 1.82%; and anaplastic meningiomas, 7.72% +/- 0.88%. Analyses of variance showed that significant differences existed between tumor grades for cyclin A labeling indices. A linear positive correlation between the cyclin A labeling index and bromodeoxyuridine labeling index was observed. The multivariate analysis using Cox's hazards model showed a high cyclin A labeling index (>3%) was a significant risk factor for recurrence. A high Ki-67 labeling index (>5%) and high tumor grade (World Health Organization grade II, III) were also significant risk factors for recurrence. These results suggested that the evaluation of cyclin A expression in meningiomas provides significant clinical information, especially as an independent prognostic indicator.