Prognostic value of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma
1CITY HOSP,SERV ANATOMOPATHOL,I-31033 CASTELFRANCO VENE,ITALY. IST NAZL RIC CANC,SERV EPIDEMIOL,I-16132 GENOA,ITALY. CITY HOSP,DIV MED 1,I-31033 CASTELFRANCO VENE,ITALY.
Abstract:
Recent studies indicate that evaluation of cell proliferation in mallignant tumors may have prognostic value, but limited data are available on its expression in hepatocellular carcinoma. We therefore evaluated the prognostic tool of PCNA antigen expression on paraffin-embedded sections of 54 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and concomitant cirrhosis. According to the number of positive cells, the PCNA expression ranged between 0.8 and 47%, and was divided into two groups (Group A, PCNA less than or equal to 5.5%; Group B, PCNA >5.5%). The two groups of patients were numerically well balanced. Median survival was 16 months for group A and 12 months for group B. According to the Cox multivariate analysis, PCNA expression (P=0.002),TNM stage (P=0.009) and ECOG performance status (P<0.001) significantly correlated with survival. In conclusion, PCNA antigen expression was found to be a significant prognostic faeature in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma and may be a useful tool for future trials.
