Expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in node-negative human prostate cancer

Cancer cell proliferation could be an important predictor of clinical behavior and survival in node-negative prostate cancers. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA; PC10) immunostaining was determined in 38 prostate biopsies and transurethral resections in clinically organ confined prostate cancers. 14 of the prostate cancers were Gleason score 2-4 and 24 were Gleason score 5-7. 29 were stage T2 and 9 were stage T3. Gleason score 2-4 cancers had a mean PCNA of 7.08 (s.d 5.1); Gleason score 5-7 had a mean PCNA of 11.42 (s.d 7.7), Stage T2 cancers had a mean PCNA of 8.007 (s.d 6.13) and stage T3 cancers had a mean PCNA of 12.7 (s.d 8.49). 21.4% of Gleason score 2-4, 12.5% of Gleason score 5-7, 10.7% of stage T2 and 10% of stage T3 had mean PCNA counts of twice their mean values. 4/24 (16.67%) of Gleason score 5-7 and 28.57% of stage T3 cancers had total PCNA counts > 20/2hpf suggesting high counts are indices of progression.