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Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in medullary thyroid carcinoma
A Skopelitou1, P Korkolopoulou, A Papanikolaou
1Pathology Department, Asklepeion Hospital, Voula Attikis, Greece.
Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression correlates with tumor grade and stage in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Higher PCNA levels indicate a poorer prognosis, suggesting its significance in MTC patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pathology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a neuroendocrine tumor of the thyroid gland.
- Accurate prognostic markers are crucial for managing MTC patients.
- Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is a marker of cell proliferation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of PCNA in MTC tissues.
- To evaluate the correlation between PCNA expression and clinicopathologic features of MTC.
- To determine the prognostic significance of PCNA in MTC.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical analysis of PCNA expression in 20 paraffin-embedded MTC tissue sections.
- Correlation analysis between PCNA index and tumor grade, pathologic stage, and clinical outcome.
- Follow-up data from eleven MTC cases were utilized.
Main Results:
- PCNA index showed a significant positive correlation with the degree of cellular pleomorphism (grade) (p < 0.01).
- PCNA index was also positively correlated with the pathologic stage of the tumor (p < 0.01).
- Elevated PCNA index was associated with a poorer clinical outcome (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- PCNA expression is significantly associated with aggressive features in MTC.
- PCNA serves as a potential prognostic marker for medullary thyroid carcinoma.
- These findings highlight PCNA's role in predicting MTC patient prognosis.