Expression of cyclooxygenase-2, p53 and Ki-67 in gastric cancer

It has been reported that p53 mutation may contribute to upregulate cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression that is observed in malignant tissues. These molecules are involved in carcinogenesis by affecting tumor cell proliferation. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between COX-2 or p53 expression and clinico-pathological characteristics including tumor cell proliferation in gastric cancer. COX-2 and p53 expressions were investigated with immunostaining, in tissue specimens obtained from 119 patients who underwent surgery for gastric cancer. The Ki-67 labeling index (LI) was counted by Ki-67 immunostaining. COX-2 and p53 expressions correlated significantly with depth of tumor invasion. However, there was no association between COX-2 or p53 expression and survival. p53 expression did not correlate with COX-2 expression. There was no significant difference in various clinicopathological variables between Ki-67 LI subgroups. The mean Ki-67 LI value of COX-2 positive tumors was significantly higher than that of negative tumors. The mean Ki-67 LI value of p53 positive tumors was not significantly higher than that of negative tumors. The mean Ki-67 LI value of both COX-2 and p53 positive tumors was significantly higher than that of both negative tumors. These results imply that COX-2 expression is associated with tumor cell proliferation of gastric cancer.     

p53 but not erbB-2 expression is associated with rapid tumor proliferation in urinary bladder cancer

Tumor proliferation in bladder cancer is associated with tumor behavior. To assess the association between Ki-67 labeling index (LI), p53, and c-erbB-2 overexpression, formalin-fixed tissue samples of 160 patients with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urinary bladder were studied by immunohistochemistry. Ki-67 LI was strongly associated with tumor stage (P < .0001), tumor grade (P < .0001), and p53 status (P = .0014) but not with erbB-2 overexpression (P > .2). Ki-67 LI was higher in p53-positive tumors (19%) than in p53-negative tumors (14%) when all stages were compared. Ki-67 LI was independent of p53 expression in pTa tumors (p53-positive, 9%; p53-negative, 11%), showing that p53 overexpression alone is not sufficient to induce rapid tumor cell proliferation in pTa tumors. Ki-67 LI also was independent of p53 expression in pT2 to pT4 tumors (p53-positive, 20%; p53-negative, 23%), indicating that p53 expression is not necessary for rapid tumor cell proliferation in advanced stages. However, there was a striking difference in Ki-67 LI between p53-positive pT1 tumors (22.0% ± 8.8 standard deviation [SD]; n = 20) and p53-negative pT1 tumors (9.7 ± 8.3 SD; n = 22; P = .0001). These results suggest that increased proliferation in p53-positive pT1 tumors is caused by additional alterations that occur during tumor progression.     

Pathological assessment of pancreatic endocrine tumors for metastatic potential and clinical prognosis

The prognostic significance of several pathological factors (tumor size, mitotic index, Ki-67 labeling index, and vascular invasion) and expression of exocrine markers (CA19-9, CEA, AFP, and trypsin) in pancreatic endocrine tumors was studied. A total of 20 specimens of metastasizing (n=10) and non-metastasizing (n=10) tumors were subjected to histological and immunohistochemical examination. The metastasizing tumors showed significantly larger size, higher Ki-67 labeling index, increased number of mitotic cells, and more frequent vascular invasion in comparison with the non-metastasizing tumors. It was difficult to determine the effect of individual factors on clinical outcome because of slow disease progression in almost all cases. Numerous mitotic cells and widespread necrosis, however, were thought to indicate a poor prognosis, and tumors with these characteristics were regarded as high-grade malignant endocrine carcinomas. In one case, one-third of the tumor tissue comprised trypsin-positive cells, the outcome was comparatively poor, and the behavior of the tumor resembled that of mixed acinar-endocrine carcinoma. A simple multifactorial approach may be effective for the identification of tumors at increased risk of metastasis, but it remains difficult to determine clinical prognosis. It is essential to at least distinguish high-grade endocrine carcinomas from the more common endocrine tumors.     

HER2状态与脑膜瘤分级及复发的相关性

目的 探讨HER2、细胞增殖指标Ki-67、胸苷激酶1(TK1)与脑膜瘤分级和良性脑膜瘤复发的相关性.方法 按2007年WHO神经系统肿瘤分类分级标准选取良性未复发的脑膜瘤、不典型脑膜瘤及恶性脑膜瘤石蜡标本各20例,并选取间期良性复发的脑膜瘤石蜡标本20例,将实验对象分为4组:良性非复发组、良性复发组、不典型组及恶性组.采用免疫组织化学MaxVision法对4组石蜡切片进行HER2、Ki-67、TK1蛋白的检测;并运用双色荧光原位杂交(FISH)法检测HER2蛋白表达阳性样本的HER2基因扩增情况.结果 免疫组织化学:(1)良性非复发组、良性复发组、不典型组和恶性组脑膜瘤的HER2阳性的例数分别为3例(15%)、6例(30%)、7例(35%)和10例(50%),随恶性程度增加,HER2蛋白阳性率升高(P<0.05);良性复发组HER2阳性率高于良性非复发组(P<0.05);(2)良性非复发组Ki-67和TK1的标记指数(U)均分别低于不典型组和恶性组(P<0.05);不典型组低于恶性组(P<0.05),随着恶性程度增高,Ki-67、TK1 LI升高;且良性复发组高于良性非复发组(P<0.05);(3)HER2与Ki-67、TK1均呈正相关(均P<0.01),Ki-67与TK1呈正相关(P<0.05).FISH法:(1)在26例HER2蛋白阳性表达的脑膜瘤组织中HER2/neu基因的扩增率为26.9%(7/26);HER2蛋白表达3+、2+者HER2/neu基因扩增比例分别为3,/4和4/6,均多于1+者(均P<0.01),3+者与2+者比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).(2)26例HER2蛋白阳性表达的脑膜瘤组织中9例存在17号染色体的非整倍性(34.6%),但HER2蛋白表达1+、2+、3+者间17号染色体的非整倍性出现率差异均无统计学意义(均P>0.05).结论 HER2阳性且Ki-67或TK1 LI高提示脑膜瘤恶性程度较高或复发可能性较大.脑膜瘤组织中存在HER2/neu基因的扩增.HER2、Ki-67和TK1蛋白可能可以作为临床判断脑膜瘤生物学行为的参考指标.     

Prognostic significance of Ki-67, p53, and Bcl-2 expression in prostate cancer patients with lymph node metastases: A retrospective immunohistochemical analysis

The prognostic significance of Ki-67, p53, and Bcl-2 expression was evaluated in prostate cancer patients with lymph node metastases. Immunohistochemical staining of archived material obtained from 56 patients was performed by the streptavldin-biotin method. Univariate survival analysis showed that a Ki-67 labeling index (Ki-67 LI) of ≥8.4 in the primary tumor identified a group of patients with a significantly poorer prognosis (P<0.001). Furthermore, a Ki-67 LI of ≥8.7 in the nodal metastatlc tumor was also associated with a poorer prognosis (P<0.01). Multivariate analysis showed that the Ki-67 LI of primary tumors (P<0.01) and lymph node metastases (P<0.01) had independent prognostic value. p53 and Bcl-2 expression had no prognostic value in patients with prostate cancer and lymph node involvement. The Ki-67 LI has more prognostic value than p53 and Bcl-2 expression for patients with prostate cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes.     

Immunohistochemical analyses of β-catenin and cyclin D1 expression in giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB): A possible role of Wnt pathway in GCTB tumorigenesis

Giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB) is a benign neoplasm but occasionally shows local recurrence, and histologically consists of osteoclast-like giant cells (GC) and stromal mononuclear cells (SC), which are capable of proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation. Activation of Wnt signaling can induce osteoblast differentiation and osteoclastgenesis during bone resorption process. This study analyzed the profiles of β-catenin and cyclin D1 expression in GCTB to elucidate an involvement of Wnt pathway in tumorigenesis. We performed immunohistochemistry for β-catenin, cyclin D1, and Ki-67 in 16 GCTB tumors, including 5 recurrent cases that were surgically resected. All 16 cases of GCTB displayed β-catenin, cyclin D1, and Ki-67 expression. Immunoreactivity for β-catenin was observed in nuclei of SC and GC. Cyclin D1 immunoreactivity was found mainly in nuclei of GC, while Ki-67 immunoreactivity was restricted to nuclei of SC. The nuclear β-catenin labeling index (LI) in both SC (60.6 vs. 41.8%, p=0.074) and GC (41.7 vs. 20.1%, p=0.095) was higher in recurrent tumors than in primary tumors in all the 4 cases. However, Ki-67 LI in SC (18.8 vs. 19.9%, p=0.851) and cyclin D1 LI in GC (55.4 vs. 70.1%, p=0.225) were not higher in recurrent tumors than in primary tumors. Our results suggested activation of Wnt/ β-catenin pathway in GCTB tumorigenesis. Since cyclin D1 in GC was never associated with the expression of the well-known proliferative marker Ki-67, cyclin D1 expression might play a role in GC formation instead of promoting cell proliferation during GCTB tumorigenesis. Importantly, it was suggested that the nuclear β-catenin staining level might be associated with tumor recurrence in GCTB.     

胰腺实性假乳头状肿瘤临床病理学与恶性转移潜能相关性研究

目的 探讨胰腺实性假乳头状肿瘤(SPT)临床病理学特征和恶性转移潜能相关性.方法 收集45例SPT标本,利用光镜观察其形态学特征并依据形态学综合评分,免疫组织化学EnVision法检测波形蛋白、α-1-抗胰蛋白酶、α-1-抗胰糜蛋白酶、CD10、神经元特异性烯醇化酶、PR、嗜铬粒素A、突触素、AE1/AE3、β-catenin、p53、cyclin D1、CD34、Ki-67表达,将以上结果同临床随访资料(分为非转移组和转移组)进行综合比较分析.结果 非转移组和转移组的年龄、性别、肿瘤部位、肿瘤平均直径和大体包膜情况比较,没有明显差异.单独形态参数(核分级、核分裂象、细胞异型性、血管内瘤栓、渐进性坏死巢、凝固性坏死)并不能区分非转移组和转移组,但核分裂象、血管内瘤栓和渐进性坏死巢在转移组较非转移组更为常见.依据形态学综合评分,非转移组41例中,39例(95.1%)综合得分<5分,转移组综合得分全部≥5分.免疫组织化学非转移组与转移组比较,β-catenin、p53、cycli D1、CD34差异无统计学意义;核增殖指数Ki-67差异有统计学意义.45例SPT患者中,平均随访37.4个月,8例失访,33例无瘤生存,4例发生不同程度的肝转移,目前无死亡.结论 SPT的核分裂象、血管内瘤栓和渐进性坏死巢对于预测肿瘤的恶性转移潜能具有一定的参考意义;形态学综合评分对于预测SPT的恶性转移潜能具有重要价值;核增殖指数Ki-67也具有一定参考价值.     

p53 Immunostaining distinguishes malignant from benign lesions of the gall-bladder

The expression of p53 protein was studied in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens of 41 well-differentiated adenocarcinomas of the gall-bladder, six cases of acute cholecystiiis and 23 cases of chronic cholecystitis, using a monoclonal p53 (PAb 1801) antibody and streptavidin-biotin. p53 staining was divided into diffuse, focal or sporadic patterns. The relationship between the p53 Labeling Index (p53 LI) and cellular proliferation was also investigated using monoclonal Ki-67 (MIB1) antibody. Twenty-four of the 41 carcinomas (58.5%) had a diffuse staining pattern with a high p53 Ll (47–93%) and 9.8% (4141) had a focal staining pattern with an intermediate p53 LI (22–34%), with no relation to pT stage, tumor size, histologic type or grade of cytologic atypia. The p53 LI was higher than the Ki-67 LI in these tumors except for one. On the other hand, p53 staining was completely sporadic in the non-neoplastic specimens with a low p53 LI (0.2–2.8%). The p53-positive cells in these specimens were located only within areas of Ki-67-positive cells. In conclusion, p53-protein overexpression occurs as an early event in approximately 70% of well-differentiated adenocarcinomas of the gall-bladder, and this alteration is maintained during progression from intramucosal to invasive carcinoma. p53 immunostaining can distinguish malignant from benign lesions of the gall-bladder.     

胃肠道间质瘤中p16、p27、Ki-67表达

目的探讨胃肠道间质瘤中p16、p27和Ki67表达与临床预后的关系。方法根据核分裂象的多少、肿瘤体积的大小及有无浸润等将胃肠道间质瘤划分为良性、交界性和恶性,并运用免疫组化SP方法检测p16、p27和Ki67在胃肠道间质瘤中的表达,并统计分析其良性、交界性、恶性和复发死亡病例中的表达差异。结果p16、p27和Ki67的阳性表达率分别为48%、26%和24%。p16在良、恶性中的表达无明显差异,但在良性和交界性中的表达与复发和转移相关;p27低标记指数和Ki67高标记指数与复发和转移相关。结论p16、p27和Ki67在胃肠道间质瘤中的表达对判断预后有价值。     

Inverse relationship between matrilysin expression and proliferative activity of cells in advanced gastric carcinoma

Matrilysin is known to play an important role in tumor invasion, but it is not known yet whether there is a direct relationship between matrilysin expression and cell proliferation. Therefore, we compared expression of matrilysin with expression of Ki-67, a marker of cell proliferation, at different tumor areas in 130 advanced gastric carcinomas. Both matrilysin and Ki-67 were distributed heterogeneously in tumor tissue. Matrilysin frequently was expressed at the invasive front, whereas Ki-67-positive cells frequently were located both at the tumor surface and in central tumor cell nests. The patterns of gastric cancer cell invasion into the surrounding tissues are described as alpha-infiltration, beta-infiltration, and gamma-infiltration, respectively, according to the guidelines of the Japanese Research Society for Gastric Cancer Study. The mean matrilysin labeling index (LI) of gamma-infiltration tumors at the invasive front was significantly greater than that of alpha- and beta-infiltration tumors (P =.01). In contrast to the matrilysin LI, the mean Ki-67 LI of gamma-infiltration tumors was significantly lower than that of alpha- and beta-infiltration tumors (P =.02). Moreover, Ki-67 antigen was absent in matrilysin-positive tumor cells and vice versa. We concluded that matrilysin expression was related inversely with proliferative activity of tumor cells and that matrilysin expression could possibly serve as a useful marker of tumor invasion.     

Ki-67 reactivity in primary fallopian tube cancers

Forty-four cases of primary cancer of the fallopian tube (PFTC) were analyzed as to Ki-67 expression, grade, stage and the cancer histological type. Among patients with an average age of 57.5 years (range 38-70 years), 27 patients were FIGO I, 7 were FIGO II and 10 were FIGO III. Histological classification of PFTC revealed 18 cases of endometrioid type, 9 serous, 7 undifferentiated, 6 urothelial, 2 clear-cell and 2 of other type. Histological grading revealed 11 cases of G1, 16 of G2 and 17 of G3 tumors. The quantity of Ki-67 positive cells was counted on 300 cancer cells in random high-power fields (10 x 40) and recorded as the labeling index (LI, %). Positive staining for Ki-67 was shown in the nuclei in all cases. Ki-67 LI values ranged from 14.2 to 97.2% (median 36.1). Ki-67 LI values were graded as > or = 36.1% as high and <36.1% as low. We did not find any significant differences in Ki-67 LI values among tumors of various clinical stages, histological grades and histological types. The p value was statistically significant only for stage as a prognostic factor.     

Cytoproliferative activity in colorectal poorly differentiated clusters: Biological significance in tumor setting

BackgroundPoorly differentiated clusters (PDCs) have gained a significant prognostic role in colorectal carcinomas (CRCs) being associated to high risk of lymph node metastasis, shorter survival time and poor prognosis. The knowledge in PDC biology is not completely clear.Materials and methodsWe assessed Ki-67 LI in 45 CRCs showing ≥10 PDCs. We distinguished PDCs at the periphery of the tumor masses (pPDCs) from those within the tumor masses (cPDCs). We chose 3 cut-offs of Ki-67 labeling index (Ki-67 LI): <10%, 10–50%, and >50% of the labeled cells.ResultsKi-67 LI in pPDCs was<10% in 37 cases (82%), 10–50% in 6 cases (13%) and >50%in 2 cases (5%); Ki-67 LI in cPDCs was<10% in 4 cases (23.5%), 10–50% in 4 (23.5%) and >50% in 9 (54%). Ki-67 LI in tumor budding foci (TBs) was <10% in 8 cases (32%), 10–50% in 8 (32%) and >50% in 9 (36%). The difference of Ki-67 LI reaches the statistical significance (p < 0.005). Ki-67 LI <10% in the pPDCs was associated with nodal metastases (pN+) (p < 0.0001), pTNM stage III and IV(p < 0.0001) and TB (p < 0.001). Ki-67 LI > 50% in cPDC was significantly associated withpT3-pT4 and advanced pTNM stages (p < 0.0001), N+ (p = 0.0001) and LVI (p < 0.05).ConclusionDifferent Ki-67 LI detected between cPDCs and pPDCs suggesting a biological difference in PDCs. An actively proliferating central tumor areas can be distinguished from the peripheral portion of the tumors in which the cells interact with the stroma acquiring invasive and metastatic potential.     

Prognostic significance of expressions of cell-cycle regulatory proteins in gastrointestinal stromal tumor and the relevance of the risk grade

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) have a wide spectrum of biologic behavior ranging from benign to malignant. Risk grading based on tumor size and mitotic counts has been proposed in an effort to predict the adverse outcome of GIST in the literature so far. Recent molecular studies have reported the prognostic values of several parameters, including alteration of cell-cycle regulators. The aim of this study was to elucidate the prognostic values of risk grade and alterations of cell-cycle-related proteins, including Ki-67, cyclin A, cyclin B1, cyclin D1, cyclin E, p16, p21, p27, p53, cdc2, and cdk2, in addition to the conventional factors. Eighty cases of primary c-kit-positive GISTs were classified into 2 cases of very-low-risk grade, 20 cases of low-risk grade, 25 cases of intermediate-risk grade, and 33 cases of high-risk grade. The risk grade was correlated with the presence of metastases and/or recurrence. A high level of Ki-67 and cyclin A expression was correlated with risk grade (P = .0027 and .0441, respectively). Overexpression of G2-M regulators, such as cyclin A, cyclin B1, and cdc2, was associated with the Ki-67 labeling index (LI) (P = .0007, .0475, and .0040, respectively). According to univariate analysis, tumor grade (high risk), tumor size (> or =5 cm), mitotic counts (> or =5/50 high-power fields), Ki-67 LI (> or =4.92%), cyclin A LI (> or =1.61%), and cdc2 LI (> or =1.25%) were all found to be significantly associated with a shorter period of disease-free survival (P = .0001, .0270, .0004, .0001, .0001, and .0011, respectively). According to multivariate analysis, both high Ki-67 LI and high-risk grade were found to be significantly associated with a shorter period of disease-free survival (P = .0083 and .0246, respectively). In conclusion, our results strongly support the hypothesis that Ki-67 LI and risk grade are useful for predicting the aggressive biologic behavior of GISTs. Furthermore, alteration of G2-M regulators, such as cyclin A, cyclin B1, and cdc2, is also a useful marker for predicting aggressive behavior and play an important role, at least in part, in the cell proliferation of GIST.     

Pathologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular features of benign and malignant phyllodes tumors of the breast.

The histologic distinction between benign and malignant Phyllodes tumors (PT) is often difficult and arbitrary. We analyzed a group of benign and malignant PT to determine whether specific histologic features and expression of Ki-67 and p53 could be useful in distinguishing benign PT from malignant tumors. We also determined whether deletions in Chromosome 3p at the FHIT and hMLH1 loci are common abnormalities in PT. Twenty PT were histologically classified as benign (7) or malignant (13). Seven of the malignant PT were low grade, and six were high grade. Ki-67 and p53 immunohistochemistry was performed on all tumors and analyzed for the stromal and for the epithelial component. PCR-based loss of heterozygosity analyses were performed with the following markers on Chromosome 3p: D3S1478 (3p21.2--21.3), D3S1289 (3p21.1--21.2), and D3S1295 (3p14.3--21.1). The distribution of immunoreactivity for Ki-67 was analyzed by quantifying the percentage of positive nuclei and expressed as the labeling index (LI). Patients' ages ranged from 13 to 71 years (median: 51 y). After a mean follow-up period of 8 years, none of the PT metastasized, whereas three recurred locally. Although malignant PT were larger than benign PT (means, 7.1 versus 4.3 cm), this difference was not statistically significant. Five tumors had infiltrating margins, and 14 were circumscribed. The Ki-67 LI in low-grade malignant PT (16 +/- 25.5) was significantly higher than that in benign PT (3.6 +/- 4.8), whereas the LI in the high-grade malignant PT group (50 +/- 21.9) was significantly higher than that in low-grade malignant tumors (P =.012). The Ki-67 LI in the three tumors that recurred was less than 10%. Two of seven (29%) benign PT were focally positive for p53, whereas four of seven (57%) low-grade malignant and three of six (50%) high-grade malignant PT were diffusely positive for p53. The three tumors that recurred initially were histologically benign, as were two of the recurrences. One recurrent tumor evolved to a high-grade malignant PT. Margins were greater than 1 cm in all tumors except four, three of which recurred locally. No allelic loss of 3p was found. In summary, Ki-67 expression may assist in distinguishing benign from malignant PT in diagnostically difficult cases. 3p deletions do not play a significant role in the development of these tumors. Neither Ki-67 nor p53 can reliably predict recurrence. Histologically high-grade malignant PT have a favorable prognosis if widely excised. We emphasize the importance of adequate margins in the treatment of benign and malignant PT.     

Correlation of enhanced cell turnover with prognosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors of the stomach: relevance of cellularity and p27kip1

The aim of the present study was to determine whether expression of molecules associated with cell cycle regulation and apoptosis might reflect tumor grade and patients' prognosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). Forty-nine cases of gastric GIST were divided into three grades; low, intermediate, and high risk. Ki-67, cyclin A, cyclin D1, cyclin E, p16(Ink4), p21(Waf1), p27(Kip1), cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk)2, cdk4 and single-strand DNA (ssDNA) were immunohistochemically stained and assessed. Ki-67, ssDNA, cyclin A and cdk2 had higher labeling indices (LI) in high-risk than in low-risk cases. Cyclin E expression was greater in the intermediate- than in the low-risk grade. On Kaplan-Meier analysis, tumor size, necrosis, cellularity, Ki-67, ssDNA, and cyclin A LI were significantly correlated with disease-free survival. Necrosis, cellularity, and Ki-67 LI were significant as prognostic factors on univariate, and Ki-67 LI on multivariate Cox hazard tests. Within the high-risk grade, high cellularity and low p27(Kip1) subgroups had the worst prognosis. The histological grade is related to cell turnover, assessed in terms of Ki-67, ssDNA, cyclin A, cyclin E, and cdk2 levels. Ki-67, ssDNA, and cyclin A are useful for prediction of prognosis, with cellularity and p27(Kip1) expression as further prognostic factors in high-risk cases.     

Decreased nm23 expression, but not Ki-67 labeling index, is significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis of breast invasive ductal carcinoma.

The nm23 gene was originally identified by differential hybridization of metastatic murine melanoma cell lines. Some experimental studies demonstrated a significantly reduced metastatic potential of melanoma cell lines transfected with the nm23 gene. In this study, we clarified the relationship between lymph node status and nm23 immunoreactivity, as well as Ki-67 labeling index (LI), of human breast cancer. Of the 44 breast invasive ductal carcinomas, nm23-diffusely positive expression [nm23(+)] was detected in 17 (38.6%), and focally positive/negative expression [nm23(+/-/-)] in 27 (61.4%) cases. Lymph node metastasis was found at a significantly higher incidence in the nm23(+/-/-) cases (18/27, 66.7%) than in the nm23(+) cases (4/17, 23.5%) (p>0.001). In the lymph node metastasis-positive cases, mean LI of Ki-67 cells was 20.9% at the center of the tumors and 24.0% at the advanced margins. In the lymph node metastasis-negative cases, mean LI of Ki-67 cells was 12.4% at the center of the tumors and 27.2% at the advanced margins. Decrease of nm23 expression, but not Ki-67 LI, was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis of breast invasive ductal carcinoma.     

DNA topoisomerase II-alpha and cyclin A immunoexpression in meningiomas and its prognostic significance: an analysis of 263 cases

CONTEXT: Routine pathologic examination cannot distinctively predict the clinical course of meningiomas because even histologically benign tumors may recur after gross total resection. Therefore, numerous efforts have been made to evaluate the meningioma growth fraction and its prognostic value. However, a universally applicable proliferative marker for meningioma outcome is not yet a reality. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prognostic utility of 3 proliferative markers, namely, Ki-67, DNA topoisomerase II-alpha (topoII), and cyclin A in a representative series of intracranial meningiomas. DESIGN: Two hundred sixty-three adult patients with intracranial meningiomas (208 benign, 42 atypical, and 13 anaplastic) were studied retrospectively. Tumor specimens were immunohistochemically examined with antibodies to Ki-67 (MM-1), topoII, and cyclin A. A computerized color image analyzer was used to count immunostained nuclei. RESULTS: The topoII and cyclin A scores exhibited a close correlation with Ki-67 immunostaining. Significant differences between the indices for all 3 markers were noted among the 3 grades of meningiomas. The scores for all 3 markers were significantly different between recurrent and nonrecurrent meningiomas, including benign tumors that were treated with gross total resection. Recurrence-free survival was significantly reduced for cases with a Ki-67 labeling index (LI) of 4.4% or greater, a topoII LI of 3.2% or greater, and a cyclin A LI of 3.1% or greater. Multivariate analysis revealed that the risk of recurrence for the entire meningioma cohort was significantly associated with tumor grade (hazard ratio = 2.7; P =.004), topoII LI of 3.2% or greater (hazard ratio = 5.5; P <.001), and a cyclin A LI of 3.1% or greater (hazard ratio = 2.4; P =.01). CONCLUSIONS: There is a close correlation in the expression of these 3 proliferative markers in meningiomas, and all of the markers showed a significant association with tumor grade, recurrence rate, and recurrence-free survival. Consequently, in addition to Ki-67, immunoexpression of topoII and cyclin A is available for predicting meningioma recurrence. Moreover, the topoII and cyclin A staining scores were found to be more sensitive predictors for meningioma progression than Ki-67 and, therefore, either of these 2 markers may prove to be clinically informative and useful.     

Cell Proliferation in Colorectal Adenocarcinomas: Comparison Between Ki-67 Immunostaining and Bromodeoxyuridine Uptake Detected by Immunohistochemistry and Flow Cytometry

We compared three different means of assaying tumor proliferative activity in 30 human colorectal adenocarcinomas labeled in vivo with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd). The labeling indices (LI) of BrdUrd obtained both by flow cytometry (FCM) and immunohistochemistry (IH) were also compared with the labeling index of Ki-67. These methods were then related to tumor ploidy and pathological features. Flow cytometry was performed in accordance with Begg's method after intravenous infusion of BrdUrd four hours before surgery. Immunohistology was carried out on paraffin-embedded sections with monoclonal antibodies against BrdUrd and Ki-67. A positive correlation was found between BrdUrd LI obtained by both FMC and IH (p<0.0001), a finding that complies with the literature. However, we report on a correlation between Ki-67 LI and BrdUrd LIs in colorectal tumors (p=0.012). The results were valid for all tumors when they were subdivided into diploid and aneuploid groups. The labeling indices were significantly higher in the aneuploid tumor group than in the diploid group (p=0.047). No relationship between proliferation parameters and tumor stage or grade was found. To our knowledge, this is the first report on a positive correlation between tumor proliferation indices in BrdUrd LIs and Ki-67 in colorectal carcinomas. This finding validates the value of Ki-67 immunostaining, which, however, should be confirmed in a larger series under the same technical conditions.     

Clinical significance of cell proliferation, microvessel density, and CD44 adhesion molecule expression in renal cell carcinoma.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is known to have a wide variation in clinical outcome despite the use of conventional prognostic factors, such as staging or grading. A better knowledge of the biologic aggressiveness of RCC could facilitate the selection of patients at high risk of tumor progression. The aim of this study was to determine if use of measurements of vascular density, cell proliferation, and cell adhesion could better predict the biologic behavior of RCC. We immunohistochemically analyzed CD34, Ki-67, and CD44H expression on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from 73 RCCs for quantifying microvessel density (MVD), Ki-67 labeling index (LI), and CD44H LI, respectively. Univariate cancer-specific survival analysis showed that tumor stage (P < .01), tumor size (P < .001), nuclear grade (P < .01), metastasis (P < .001), MVD (P < .03), Ki-67 LI (P < .001), and CD44H LI (P < .0001) were predictors of tumor-related death. There was a statistical correlation between CD44H LI and both Ki-67 LI (r' = .3) and MVD (r' = -44). Ki-67 LI (P < .04) and CD44H LI (P < .02), as well as metastasis (P < .008), emerged as independent predictors of cancer-specific survival in multivariate analysis in patients with metastases (P < .04 and P < .02, respectively) and in patients without metastases (P < .006 and P < .00001, respectively). Our study suggests that vascular density, cell proliferation, and cell adhesion represent a complex tumor-host interaction that may favor progression of RCC. Cell proliferation and CD44H expression appear to be powerful markers to identify patients with an adverse prognosis.     

Cell culture model predicts human disease: Altered expression of junction proteins and matrix metalloproteinases in cervical dysplasia

Background

LAT1/4F2hc heterodimeric complex is a major route for the transport of large neutral essential amino acids through the plasma membrane. Although it has been shown that LAT1/4F2hc is highly expressed in a variety of human tumors including gliomas, and LAT1 over-expression is associated with glioma grade and poor prognosis of glioma patients, the precise tissue location of LAT1/4F2hc in gliomas and the precise role of LAT1/4F2hc in glioma biological features remain unclear.

Methods

In the current study, the expressions of LAT1, 4F2hc, CD34 and Ki-67 were investigated by immunohistochemistry in 62 cases of human brain glioma; LAT1/4F2hc expression level, Ki-67 labeling index (Ki-67 LI) and microvessel density (MVD) were measured semi-quantitatively; and the correlation of LAT1/4F2hc expression with histopathological features, Ki-67 LI and MVD in gliomas was further analyzed.

Results

The results showed that both LAT1 and 4F2hc were expressed in all examined specimens. LAT1 but 4F2hc expression levels significantly correlated with the pathological grade and both expression levels significantly correlated with Ki-67 LI of gliomas. We also demonstrated that both LAT1 and 4F2hc immunoreactivity were observed in tumor cells as well as vascular endothelia; furthermore, the LAT1 expression level was markedly associated with glioma MVD as well.

Conclusion

LAT1/4F2hc over-expression is closely correlates with the malignant phenotype and proliferation of gliomas, and LAT1 was associates with glioma angiogenesis. LAT1/4F2hc, especially LAT1, may become a novel potential molecular target for glioma biological therapy.