[Nuclear DNA ploidy pattern and proliferating cell nuclear antigen labeling index in gastric cancer with mucosal...

The DNA ploidy pattern and the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were investigated in 72 gastric carcinoma patients to determine the possible correlation between proliferation kinetics and biological behavior. The diploid pattern was more often observed in cases with mucosal invasion (m cancer) than other cases (sm or advanced cancer). The PCNA labelling index in cases with mucosal invasion was significantly lower than in other cases. The sm cancer was more often observed in patients with high PCNA labelling index (> or = 30%) and aneuploid pattern, while m cancer was more common in patients with low PCNA labelling (< 20%) index and diploid pattern. As a result of this study, we conclude that proliferating kinetics of m cancer may differ from that for sm or advanced cancer. Furthermore, DNA ploidy pattern and PCNA labelling index may be useful as a parameter of depth of invasion.