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PCNA, Ki-67 and hTERT in residual benign meningiomas
L Maes1, J P O Kalala, M Cornelissen
1Department of Histology, L. Pasteurlaan 2, Ghent Belgium. Lode.Maes@UGent.be
In Vivo (Athens, Greece)
|April 26, 2006
Summary
Histology alone cannot predict meningioma relapse. Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) levels were significantly higher in relapsing tumors, suggesting its potential as a predictive marker for meningioma recurrence.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Surgical Pathology
- Molecular Diagnostics
Background:
- Histological classification of meningiomas is insufficient for predicting patient relapse after incomplete tumor removal.
- Tumor regrowth can occur even in histologically benign meningiomas, highlighting the need for better predictive markers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between proliferative markers (PCNA, Ki-67) and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) expression and meningioma relapse.
- To assess the predictive value of these markers in residual meningiomas.
Main Methods:
- Measured Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA), Ki-67, and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) labeling indices (LI) in residual meningiomas from 37 patients.
- Compared LI in a group of 20 stable meningiomas (no relapse >10 years) versus 17 relapsing meningiomas.
Main Results:
- While mean PCNA and Ki-67 LI were higher in the relapsing group, differences were not statistically significant.
- Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) LI was significantly higher in the relapsing group (27.8%) compared to the stable group (7.2%) (p<0.01).
Conclusions:
- hTERT expression shows a statistically significant difference between relapsing and stable residual meningiomas.
- Although hTERT LI is higher in relapsing tumors, it is not an absolute predictor of relapse at the individual patient level.