Related Experiment Videos
Proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression in central nervous system neoplasms
A Allegranza1, S Girlando, G L Arrigoni
1Department of Neuropathology, C. Besta, Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy.
Virchows Archiv. A, Pathological Anatomy and Histopathology
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) labeling index (LI) correlates with tumor grade and other proliferation markers in neuroglial tumors. PCNA LI is a valuable tool for glioma grading and retrospective studies.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Cell Biology
- Immunohistochemistry
Background:
- Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is a cell-cycle-regulated protein.
- PCNA labeling index (LI) correlates with other proliferation markers like Ki67 and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation.
- PCNA LI has potential prognostic value in neoplasms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between PCNA LI and histological grade in neuroglial tumors.
- To compare PCNA LI with other proliferation markers in central nervous system (CNS) neoplasms.
- To assess the utility of PCNA LI in grading gliomas.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical staining for PCNA was performed on a series of neuroglial tumors.
- PCNA LI was correlated with histological grade and other reported proliferation indices (thymidine LI, BrdU LI, Ki67 LI).
- Intratumoral heterogeneity of PCNA distribution was observed in some glioblastomas.
Main Results:
- A significant correlation was found between PCNA LI and histological grade in neuroglial tumors.
- PCNA LI showed good correlation with thymidine LI, BrdU LI, and Ki67 LI.
- Neuroglial tumors with higher histological grades, such as metastases of small cell lung cancer and medulloblastomas, exhibited higher PCNA LI compared to low-grade astrocytomas and pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas.
Conclusions:
- PCNA LI is a reliable marker for assessing proliferation in neuroglial tumors and correlates with histological grade.
- PCNA LI is higher than other markers as it reflects multiple cell cycle phases and has a longer half-life.
- PCNA LI is a valuable and easily applicable tool for grading gliomas, with potential for retrospective studies, but its prognostic value requires further validation.