Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression in gestational trophoblastic diseases (GTD)

Gestational Trophoblastic Disease is an abnormal condition of the placenta, the incidence of which is very high in the state of Kerala, India. The proliferative rate of molar placentas in comparison with the normal placentas of comparable gestational age group was done in order to find out its role in the prognosis of this tumor by assessing the expression of PCNA in trophoblasts. PCNA expression was evaluated in 149 trophoblastic tumors and 96 normal placental tissue. The percentage of positive cells was significantly increased in molar placentas of the 1st trimester in comparison to the normal placentas. Correlation of the staining score to the regression pattern of the tumor showed a significant increase in the chemotherapy group when compared to the spontaneously regressing group. But no correlation was found between the percentage of PCNA positive cells with histological grade of the tumor proliferation.