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Correlation of p63 immunoreactivity with tumor grade in meningiomas
Elisabeth J Rushing1, Cara Olsen, Yan-Gao Man
1Department of Neuropathology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, DC 20306-6000, USA. rushinge@afip.osd.mil
Abstract:
Predicting tumor behavior in meningiomas based on morphologic features alone remains difficult. The present study was undertaken to assess the correlation between p63 expression and histological grade of meningiomas. A total of 37 archival intracranial meningiomas were classified into 20 grade I, 13 grade II, and 4 grade III meningiomas. Using immunohistochemical methods, staining was scored based on nuclear and/or cytoplasmic distribution as follows: 0, no staining; 1, 50% or less of the cells; 2, more than 50% of the cells. Of grade I meningiomas, 95% (19/20) lacked nuclear p63 expression and none exhibited cytoplasmic staining. Overall, 92% of grade II tumors showed nuclear expression and 31% (4/13) showed cytoplasmic expression. Grade III tumors showed an overall nuclear expression of 75% (3/4) with all exhibiting cytoplasmic staining. Our results indicate a good correlation exists between histological grade and p63 protein expression, suggesting that p63 expression might be correlated with the clinical outcome.
Insights
p63 protein expression correlates with meningioma grade. This finding may help predict tumor behavior and clinical outcomes in meningioma patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuropathology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Predicting meningioma tumor behavior solely on morphology is challenging.
- Understanding molecular markers can improve prognostic accuracy.
- p63 is a protein of interest in various tumor types.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between p63 protein expression and the histological grade of meningiomas.
- To determine if p63 expression can serve as a predictive marker for meningioma behavior.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical analysis of p63 expression in 37 archival intracranial meningiomas.
- Classification of meningiomas into grades I, II, and III.
- Scoring of p63 staining based on nuclear and cytoplasmic distribution.
Main Results:
- Grade I meningiomas predominantly lacked nuclear p63 expression (95%) and showed no cytoplasmic staining.
- Grade II meningiomas exhibited significant nuclear p63 expression (92%) and some cytoplasmic staining (31%).
- Grade III meningiomas showed high nuclear (75%) and cytoplasmic (100%) p63 expression.
Conclusions:
- A strong correlation exists between meningioma histological grade and p63 protein expression patterns.
- p63 expression may be a valuable biomarker for predicting meningioma aggressiveness and clinical outcome.
- Further research into p63's role in meningioma pathogenesis is warranted.
