Prognostic implications of glucose transporter protein-1 (glut-1) overexpression in bone and soft-tissue sarcomas

BACKGROUND: The glucose transporter protein 1 (Glut-1) overexpression is associated with poor overall survival (OS) in various malignant tumors. The aim of this study was to investigate prognostic significance of Glut-1 overexpression in patients with bone and soft-tissue sarcomas. METHODS: A total of 67 patients (mean age, 43 years; range, 8-79 years) with bone and soft tissue sarcomas were analyzed. Pathologic confirmation was observed from surgical specimens in all patients. Pathologic variables including tumor differentiation, necrosis, mitotic index, MIB-1 (Ki-67) grade and Glut-1 expression were assessed. Clinical characteristics and pathologic variables were determined by Kaplan-Meyer curve of OS after treatment. RESULTS: Glut-1 overexpression was found in 56 patients (83%). The patients with Glut-1 overexpression showed significantly poor OS compared with those without Glut-1 overexpression (P = 0.029). The presence of metastasis, treatment without surgical resection, tumor differentiation, necrosis, mitotic index and MIB-1 grade were also significantly negative prognostic factors. The presence of metastasis was independently associated with poor OS (P = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of Glut-1 expression prior to treatment has a predictive potential effect in patients with bone and soft-tissue sarcomas.     

Prognostic implications of p53 protein, epidermal growth factor receptor, and Ki-67 labelling in brain tumours.

The expression of p53 protein, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and Ki-67 nuclear antigen was examined by immunohistochemistry in biopsies of 16 types of human brain tumours, including 43 astrocytomas. P53 protein, almost certainly its mutant form, was expressed in seven of the 16, and EGFR in 11 of the 16 types of tumours. In astrocytomas both the proportion of tumours which expressed p53 or EGFR increased with grade of malignancy as did the mean Ki-67 labelling index (LI): p53-0% in grade 1, 17% in grade 2, 38% in grade 3, 65% in grade 4; EGFR-0% in grade 1, 33% in grade 2, 85% in grade 3, 95% in grade 4; mean Ki-67 L1-1.1% in grades 1 and 2, 8.3% in grade 3, and 13.4% in grade 4. Astrocytomas which expressed p53 or EGFR had a significantly higher Ki-67 LI at P less than 0.05 (11.8% and 10.7%, resp.) than those that did not (6.2% or 4.1%, resp.). Patients with astrocytomas expressing p53 or EGFR had a significantly reduced survival (P = 0.035 and P = 0.007, resp.): only 11% of the p53 + ve and 13% of the EGFR + ve patients were alive at 100 weeks following diagnosis compared to 36% of p53-ve or 60% of EGFR-ve patients. Patients with Ki-67 LI greater than 5% had a reduced survival (P less than 0.0001)--none survived beyond 86 weeks following diagnosis, whilst 63% of patients with less than 5% positive cells were still alive at 100 weeks. The univariate analysis showed that in astrocytomas expression of p53 mutants, EGFR protein, and Ki-67 greater than 5% are associated with malignant progression and poor prognosis. The multivariate analysis revealed that only tumour grade and Ki-67LI were independent prognostic factors for survival.     

Prognostic value of Ki-67 (MIB-1) and p53 in ependymomas

To determine whether Ki-67 (MIB-1) and p53 have prognostic value in ependymomas, clinicopathologic study was undertaken in 29 patients with this tumor. The clinical course correlated well with the histological grade according to the World Health Organization (WHO) grading system, and it was the worst in patients with anaplastic ependymoma. The percent expression of MIB-1 and p53 correlated with the histological grade of malignancy. With regard to the subtypes of benign ependymoma, the clinical course was the worst in clear-cell ependymoma, which had a significantly higher expression of MIB-1 and p53 than the other subtypes. Tanycytic ependymoma showed the most benign clinical course and the lowest expression of MIB-1 and p53. Although the WHO grading generally tended to correlate with the clinical course of ependymomas, these two subtypes-clear-cell ependymoma and tanycytic ependymoma-exhibited biological properties different from those of other grade II ependymomas.     

Expression of cyclin D1 and Ki-67 in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity: clinicopathological and prognostic significance

The prognostic and clinicopathologic significance of cyclin D1 and Ki-67 expressions was studied in oral squamous cell carcinomas. We performed an immunohistochemical study to determine the level of expression of cyclin D1 and Ki-67 labelling index in tumor specimens obtained from 35 patients, of whom 14 died as a result of recurrent disease, and 20 were free of recurrence at the end of the follow-up period. Overexpression of cyclin D1 was significantly associated with regional lymph node metastases (P=0.00005) and advanced tumor stage (P=0.0007). The relative risk for nodal metastases in the cases that overexpressed cyclin D1 was 2.6. The Ki-67 labelling index was significantly (P=0.001) higher in tumors with poor histologic grade of differentiation. Our results showed that cyclin D1 is a useful prognostic factor, and suggested it could be a marker to help determine the appropriate treatment for patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma. Cyclin D1 and Ki-67 overexpression were positively correlated.     

Topoisomerase II alpha expression and the Ki-67 labeling index correlate with prognostic factors in estrogen receptor-positive and human epidermal growth factor type-2-negative breast cancer

Background

Topoisomerase II alpha (Topo IIa) is involved in DNA replication and is a molecular target for anthracycline-based chemotherapy. The Ki-67 labeling index (LI) is an evaluation of tumor cell proliferation. The objective of this study was to evaluate relationships among Topo IIa expression, the Ki-67 LI, and prognostic factors in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, human epidermal growth factor type-2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer.

Materials and methods

Seventy-one patients were diagnosed with ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer between July 2003 and December 2004. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor specimens were stained for Topo IIa expression and Ki-67 LI. We investigated the correlation of the level of Topo IIa expression and the Ki-67 LI with clinical factors such as age, tumor size, progesterone receptor status, nodal status, nuclear grade, and lymphovascular invasion (LVI).

Results

Statistically significant differences were observed between Topo IIa overexpression, nuclear grade (p?=?0.036), and LVI (p?=?0.029). Topo IIa overexpression was statistically correlated with the Ki-67 LI (p?p?=?0.01). Survival analysis revealed the significant prognostic value of Ki-67 LI in patients with ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer (p?=?0.003).

Conclusions

Ki-67 LI is a strong prognostic factor in ER-positive HER2-negative breast cancer. Topo IIa overexpression was significantly correlated with the Ki-67 LI, nuclear grade, and LVI. These findings suggest use of Topo IIa expression as a proliferation marker and a prognostic factor in ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer.     

Prognostic effect of activated EGFR expression in human colon carcinomas: comparison with EGFR status

Background:

Evidence suggests that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-activation status may better predict the clinical behaviour of colon cancers than does EGFR expression. However, the prognostic effect of phospho-EGFR in primary colon cancer remains undefined.

Methods:

Phospho-EGFR (Tyr-1173) and EGFR expression were analysed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in tissue microarrays of TNM stage II and III colon cancers from completed adjuvant therapy trials (n=388). Staining intensity was scored and correlated with clinicopathological variables, DNA mismatch repair (MMR) status, rates of cell proliferation (Ki-67), apoptosis (caspase-3), and patient survival.

Results:

Phospho-EGFR expression was detected in 157 of 388 (40%) tumours, whereas EGFR was found in 214 of 361 (59%). Although phospho-EGFR was unrelated to clinicopathological variables, strong EGFR intensity was associated with higher tumour stage (P=0.03). Tumours overexpressing EGFR (P=0.0002) or phospho-EGFR (P=0.015) showed increased Ki-67, but not caspase-3 expression. Phospho-EGFR was not prognostic. EGFR intensity was associated with worse disease-free survival (DFS) (hazard ratio (HR): 1.21 (1.03, 1.41); P=0.019) and overall survival (OS) (HR: 1.19 (1.02, 1.39); P=0.028). Tumours expressing both EGFR and phospho-EGFR had similar survival as EGFR alone. Stage and lymph node number were prognostic for DFS and OS, and histological grade for OS. EGFR was an independent predictor of DFS (P=0.042) after adjustment for stage, histological grade, age, and MMR status.

Conclusion:

Phospho-EGFR and EGFR expression were associated with tumour cell hyperproliferation. Phospho-EGFR was not prognostic, whereas increased EGFR intensity was independently associated with poor DFS.     

晚期EGFR突变肺腺癌Ki-67表达与EGFR-TKIs治疗疗效的相关性北大核心

目的:分析晚期EGFR突变型肺腺癌(LADC)组织中Ki-67表达和其他临床病理特征与EGFR-TKIs客观疗效和生存预后的相关性。方法:回顾性分析2017年05月至2020年05月我院102例晚期EGFR突变型LADC中Ki-67表达情况与其他临床特征,所有患者均接受第一代EGFR-TKIs 6周后进行客观疗效评价,无进展生存期(progression-free survival,PFS)为主要研究终点。结果:Ki-67表达可较为准确地预测EGFR-TKIs的客观缓解率(object response rate,ORR)[AUC=0.7690(0.6705~0.8675),P<0.0001],Ki-67表达与EGFR-TKIs客观疗效呈负性相关(P=0.000),分期(P=0.170)、EGFR-TKIs(P=0.112)、ECOG PS(P=0.551)、EGFR突变(P=0.163)与ORR无明显相关。Ki-67高表达相对低表达,可显著缩短PFS(P<0.0001);单因素分析发现ECOG PS(HR 1.740,P=0.001)、EGFR突变(HR 1.656,P=0.023)、分期(HR 1.487,P=0.005)、Ki-67表达(HR 1.027,P=0.000)为影响PFS的相关因素;多因素分析发现,Ki-67表达(HR 1.040,P=0.000)为影响PFS的独立预后因素。结论:晚期EGFR突变型LADC组织中Ki-67高表达可降低EGFR-TKIs的ORR,缩短PFS,Ki-67表达在晚期EGFR突变LADC中的意义值得进一步探索。     

HER-2/neu expression is associated with high tumor cell proliferation and aggressive phenotype in a population based patient series of endometrial carcinomas

Gene alterations and overexpression of various oncogenes and cell-cycle regulators are important in tumor development. In a population based series of 316 endometrial carcinomas with long and complete follow-up we investigated the distribution of HER-2/neu and EGFR expression and copy number alteration in endometrial cancers. HER-2/ neu, EGFR and Ki-67 expression in curettage and hysterectomy specimens were studied immunohistochemically for expression in relation to molecular markers and clinical phenotype. Fresh tumor samples (n=76) were studied by global characterization of genetic alterations by single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array for detection of high level amplification for HER-2/neu and EGFR. Pathological expression of HER-2/neu in curettage was detected in 23% which significantly correlated to high FIGO stage, non-endometrioid subtype, high grade and aneuploidy. In hysterectomy specimens, pathological HER-2/neu staining was seen in 13% which correlated significantly with high FIGO stage, non-endometrioid subtype, high proliferation and poor survival (p=0.009). Expression of EGFR was examined with three different antibodies, but none showed significant correlation with molecular markers or clinical phenotype. High level amplification of HER-2/neu or EGFR was seen in only one out of 76 samples, respectively. High proliferation estimated in tumors from hysterectomy specimens showed independent prognostic impact and was superior to estimation in curettage specimens as a prognostic marker. In conclusion, high level amplification of HER-2/neu or EGFR is infrequent in endometrial cancer. Pathological HER-2/neu staining identifies endometrial carcinomas with an aggressive phenotype, high proliferation and patients with poor survival in a population based setting. These results motivate further clinical trials with trastuzumab based on HER-2/neu status in endometrial carcinomas.     

影响颅内室管膜瘤患者生存和预后的相关因素分析

  目的  研究影响颅内室管膜瘤患者生存和预后的相关因素, 为临床治疗提供理论依据。  方法  回顾性分析2008年1月至2018年1月中南大学湘雅医院收治的颅内室管膜瘤患者276例, 分析性别、年龄、肿瘤部位、肿瘤直径、手术切除程度、病理分级、Ki-67指数、术后是否放疗、术后是否化疗对颅内室管膜瘤患者总生存时间和无进展生存时间的影响。  结果  肿瘤部位、手术切除程度、术后是否放疗均能影响颅内室管膜瘤患者总生存时间和无进展生存时间(P<0.001), 并且是影响总生存时间(P<0.001, P<0.001, P = 0.002)和无进展生存时间(P<0.001, P<0.001, P<0.001)的独立因素; Ki-67指数是影响颅内室管膜瘤患者无进展生存的独立因素(P<0.001)。肿瘤位于幕上、Ki-67指数≥10%是提示预后不佳的独立危险因素(P<0.001), 肿瘤全切、术后行放疗是保护因素(P<0.001, P=0.001)。  结论  肿瘤部位、手术切除程度、Ki-67指数、术后是否放疗是响颅内室管膜瘤预后的独立因素, 尽可能的肿瘤全切和术后放疗有助于延长患者的无进展生存时间和总生存时间。      

三阴性乳腺癌组织Ki-67指数预后价值分析

目的 Ki-67是细胞增殖的相关抗原,Ki-67指数是区分乳腺癌Luminal A型和Luminal B型的重要生物学指标,高Ki-67指数往往预示着不良的预后.然而在三阴性乳腺癌(triple negative breast cancer,TNBC)中,Ki-67预后价值尚不明确.本研究旨在探讨TNBC中Ki-67指数的预后价值.方法 回顾性分析郑州大学附属肿瘤医院2009-01-06-2010-12-30收治的310例经病理确诊为TNBC并有完整资料和随访数据患者的临床及病理资料,分析Ki-67指数等指标对患者生存预后影响.利用SPSS 17.0软件,计数资料比较采用χ2检验.Ki-67诊断价值及截断值采用ROC曲线进行分析.生存分析采用Kaplan-Meier法,并进行Log-rank检验.多因素分析采用Cox比例风险模型.结果 中位随访时间65个月(3~81个月),310例乳腺癌患者中复发68例(21.9%),死亡49例(15.8%),其中48例死于乳腺癌(15.5%).Ki-67指数与患者月经状态(χ2=8.484,P=0.014)、肿瘤大小(χ2=17.580,P=0.007)、腋窝淋巴结状态(χ2=30.071,P<0.001)以及组织学分级(χ2=17.626,P=0.001)均相关.低(Ki-67≤20%)、中(20%50%)5年无病生存率(disease-free survival,DFS)分别为96.5%、87.3%和64.9%,差异有统计学意义,P<0.001;5年总生存率(overall survival,OS)分别为96.5%、90.2%和75.5%,差异有统计学意义,P<0.001.Ki-67评价TNBC患者DFS及OS的ROC曲线下面积分别为0.707和0.689,Ki-67评价预后最佳截断值为57.5%.单因素分析中,Ki-67指数(χ2=31.779,P<0.001)、肿瘤大小(χ2=140.260,P<0.001)、腋窝淋巴结状态(χ2=120.467,P<0.001)和组织学分级(χ2=8.765,P=0.012)是影响TNBC患者DFS的相关因素,Ki-67指数(χ2=18.218,P<0.001)、肿瘤大小(χ2=299.718,P<0.001)、腋窝淋巴结状态(χ2=68.794,P<0.001)和组织学分级(χ2=7.572,P=0.023)是影响TNBC患者OS的相关因素;多因素分析中,Ki-67指数(HR=2.074,95%CI:1.279~3.364,P=0.003)、肿瘤大小(RR=1.879,95%CI:1.152~3.062,P=0.011)和腋窝淋巴结状态(RR=2.345,95%CI:1.825~3.015,P<0.001)是影响患者DFS的独立因素,Ki-67指数(RR=1.752,95%CI:1.020~3.008,P=0.042)、肿瘤大小(RR=20.011,95%CI:1.132~3.574,P=0.017)和腋窝淋巴结状态(RR=2.021,95%CI:1.517~2.693,P<0.001)是影响患者OS的独立因素.结论 Ki-67指数与TNBC患者预后相关,高Ki-67指数患者预后不良,Ki-67指数有望成为判断TNBC患者预后的一项重要生物学指标.     

Effects of SMYD3 over-expression on cell cycle acceleration and cell proliferation in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells

Purpose The prognostic significance of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression remains unestablished, although EGFR and COX-2 are frequently overexpressed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Considering the importance of EGFR activation after ligand binding, however, the expression of phosphorylated EGFR (p-EGFR) may have more significance in predicting tumor aggressiveness in NSCLC than either EGFR or COX-2 expression. Patients and methods We studied the relationships between p-EGFR, EGFR, and COX-2 overexpression and examined their association with prognosis in localized NSCLC. The expression of p-EGFR, EGFR, and COX-2 was studied by immunohistochemistry in 77 surgically-resected stage I/II NSCLC cases. EGFR mutational status was determined by sequencing exons 18–21. Correlation of expression with clinical outcome and other biomarkers, including Ki-67 and microvessel density (MVD), was also examined. Results Out of the 77 patients, EGFR overexpression was observed in 37 (48.1%), p-EGFR expression was found in 22 (28.6%), and COX-2 overexpression was seen in 45 (58.4%). Expression of p-EGFR was associated with COX-2 overexpression (P = 0.047), but not EGFR overexpression or high Ki-67 (P = 0.087 and P = 0.092, respectively). COX-2 overexpression was significantly associated with high Ki-67 (P = 0.011). Expression of p-EGFR correlated with lower disease-free survival (P = 0.045), but not overall survival. Neither EGFR nor COX-2 overexpression was associated with prognosis. Conclusion p-EGFR appears to be a better indicator for lower disease-free survival than EGFR overexpression itself in localized NSCLC. Pathways other than EGFR activation may influence COX-2 overexpression.     

Value of epidermal growth factor receptor status compared with growth fraction and other factors for prognosis in early breast cancer.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a transmembrane glycoprotein whose expression is important in the regulation of breast cancer cell growth. The relationship between EGFR status (determined by an immunocytochemical assay) and various prognostic factors was investigated in 164 primary breast cancers. Overall 56% of tumours were EGFR-positive and the expression of EGFR was unrelated to axillary node status, tumour size and histological grade; and it was poorly associated with the tumour proliferative activity measured by Ki-67 immuno-cytochemistry. The relapse-free survival (RFS) probability at 3-years was significantly worse for patients with EGFR positive tumours (P = 0.003) and for those whose Ki-67 score was > 7.5% (P = 0.0027), as well as in patients with axillary node involvement (P = 0.01) and with poorly differentiated tumours (P = 0.04). Immunocytochemical determination of EGFR and cell kinetics gave superimposable prognostic information for predicting RFS with odds ratios of 3.51, when evaluated singly. In our series of patients EGFR, Ki-67 and node status retain their prognostic value concerning RFS in multivariate analysis. The 3-year probability of overall survival (OS) was significantly better in node-negative patients (P = 0.04) and was similar in EGFR-positive and negative patients. In conclusion, EGFR status appears to be a significant and independent indicator of recurrence in human breast cancer and the concomitant measurement of the tumour proliferative activity seems to improve the selection of patients with different risks of recurrence.     

The expression of Mcl-1 in human cervical cancer and its clinical significance

Recently, the role of anti-apoptotic Mcl-1 in human carcinogenesis has become an area of great interest as overexpression of the protein has been reported in association with various types of cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression profile of Mcl-1 in cervical cancer and to assess its clinical significance. Immunohistochemistry was used in the detection of Mcl-1 expression as well as the proliferation index of Ki-67, both in cervical cancer and in corresponding normal tissue. Western blotting analysis was also used for the detection of Mcl-1. The data was correlated with clinicopathological features. Survival analysis was performed to assess prognostic significance. Mcl-1 was overexpressed in cervical cancer tissue when compared with corresponding normal tissue. High expression of Mcl-1 was significantly associated with histological grade (P = 0.039), tumor size (P = 0.024) and lymph node involvement (P = 0.002). Overexpression of Ki-67 was associated with lymph node involvement (P = 0.015) and disease stage (P = 0.012). Spearman rank correlation test demonstrated a positive correlation between Mcl-1 and Ki-67 (P < 0.05). Using Kaplan-Meier analysis, a comparison of survival curves of low versus high expressers of Mcl-1 and Ki-67 revealed a highly significant difference in human cervical cancer tissue (P < 0.05), which suggests that overexpression of Mcl-1 and Ki-67 is associated with a poorer prognosis. Our results suggest that Mcl-1 may play an important role in cervical cancer and that it may have potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target. Its evaluation with Ki-67 may provide reliable prognostic information on cervical cancer.     

Elevated expression of Cripto-1 correlates with poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma

Cripto-1 could promote tumorigenesis in a wide range of carcinomas, yet little is known in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The expression of Cripto-1 and MMP-9 were assessed by immunohistochemistry in 205 HCC specimens. The correlation between Cripto-1 and MMP-9, clinicopathological/prognostic value in HCC was examined. Cripto-1 overexpression was correlated with larger tumor, TNM stage, BCLC stage and tumor recurrence. In multivariate analyses, Cripto-1 was an independent predictor for overall survival (OS) and time to recurrence (TTR). Cripto-1 expression was increased in TNM and BCLC stage-dependent manner. Cripto-1 overexpression was associated with poor prognosis in patients subgroups stratified by tumor size, tumor differentiation, TNM and BCLC stage. In addition, Cripto-1 was positively correlated with MMP-9 among 205 HCC samples. Patients with Cripto-1 upregulation had poor OS and shorter TTR in low and high aggressiveness groups. Furthermore, Cripto-1 had predictive validity for early and late recurrence in HCC patients. Combination of Cripto-1 and serum AFP was correlated with OS and TTR. In conclusion, Cripto-1 overexpression contributes to aggressiveness and poor prognosis of HCC. Cripto-1/AFP expression could be a potential prognostic biomarker for survival in HCC patients.     

Ki-67在T1期非肌层浸润性膀胱癌中的表达及意义

  目的   检测Ki-67在T1期非肌层浸润性膀胱癌（non-muscle invasive bladder cancer,NMIBC）组织中的表达,并探讨其与肿瘤复发和进展的关系。   方法   回顾性分析2011年6月至2013年10月天津医科大学肿瘤医院102例T1期NMIBC患者的临床病理资料,利用免疫组织化学方法检测组织中Ki-67的表达,分析Ki-67表达与患者临床病理特征的关系,探讨其对T1期NMIBC复发和进展的影响。   结果   中位随访时间43（24~57）个月,102例T1期NMIBC患者中20例（19.6%）复发,12例（11.8%）进展,32例（31.4%）Ki-67表达≥25%。Ki-67表达与肿瘤分级相关（P < 0.05）,与患者性别、年龄、肿瘤数目、肿瘤大小等无相关性（P > 0.05）。单因素分析结果显示,Ki-67表达与T1期NMIBC的复发无相关性（P > 0.05）,Ki-67表达、肿瘤分级、肿瘤数目和既往复发率是影响T1期NMIBC进展的危险因素（P < 0.05）,Cox风险回归模型多因素分析结果显示,Ki-67高表达（P=0.043）和既往复发率（P=0.018）是影响T1期NMIBC进展的独立危险因素。   结论   Ki-67表达是T1期NMIBC的独立预后因素,检测Ki-67表达有助于预测其进展风险,为采取及时有效治疗提供依据。      

The prognostic value of p53 and c-erbB-2 expression, proliferative activity and angiogenesis in node-negative breast carcinoma

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: p53, c-erbB-2 and Ki-67 protein expression and microvessel density (MVD) determined by CD34 antibody were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and their correlation with clinicopathological parameters including estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) receptor status and survival were investigated in patients with axillary lymph node-negative infiltrating ductal breast carcinoma. METHODS: The study population consisted of 47 patients with axillary lymph node-negative infiltrating ductal breast carcinoma. RESULTS: p53 and c-erbB-2 expression was detected in 36.2% and 31.9% of patients, respectively. Median Ki-67 expression was 10%. There were no statistically significant differences in the distribution of p53, Ki-67 and c-erbB-2 protein expression in relation to the age of the patients or to the size, histological grade or ER and PR status of the tumors. p53 protein expression correlated positively with c-erbB-2 and Ki-67 protein expression (P < 0.05). The mean MVD was 63.65 +/- 29.1 and it correlated positively with histological grade and Ki-67 expression (P < 0.05). Survival analysis revealed that age, tumor size, p53 and c-erbB-2 expression and PR status had no significant prognostic impact, whereas histological grade, proliferative activity and angiogenic activity were significant prognostic factors. Although ER-positive patients had a statistically significant overall survival advantage, the difference in disease-free survival was not significant. CONCLUSION: In axillary lymph node-negative breast carcinoma the histological grade and the proliferative and angiogenic activity of the tumor could be useful prognostic indicators.     

Supratentorial extraventricular ependymal neoplasms: a clinicopathologic study of 32 patients

BACKGROUND: Published research on the clinicopathologic features of extraventricular ependymal neoplasms of the cerebral hemispheres has been scant. METHODS: Thirty-two archival cases were studied to investigate the prognostic impact of clinicopathologic parameters including flow cytometry, the proliferation (Ki-67) labeling index, and p53 expression. RESULTS: Among these 32 cases were 2 subependymomas, 19 ependymomas, and 11 anaplastic ependymomas. No significant gender predilection was observed, and 45% of patients were in their second or third decade of life. The left cerebral hemisphere was 1.5 times more commonly involved. On available imaging studies, lesions were often cystic, with or without a mural nodule. Tumors expressed glial fibrillary acidic protein (87%), S-100 protein (77%), cytokeratin (43%), and epithelial membrane antigen (17%). Ki-67 proliferation index paralleled tumor grade. Immunoreactivity for p53 protein was observed in the 2 cases of subependymoma, in 10 of 11 anaplastic ependymomas, and in 6 of 17 ependymomas. Flow cytometry performed in 27 tumors revealed diploidy in 20 cases and aneuploidy in 4 cases (3 anaplastic and 1 classic ependymomas), with S-phase fraction ranging from 0.2-9.7. Eleven subjects were additionally treated with radiotherapy, and 3 with chemotherapy. Follow up was available in 25 (78%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the current study suggest that there is no significant relation between histopathology, Ki-67 proliferation index, p53 immunolabeling, tumor ploidy, and biologic behavior.     

Prognostic Value of the Nodal Ratio and Ki-67 Expression in Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Postmastectomy Radiotherapy

Purpose

This pilot study aimed to evaluate prognostic factors of postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) for breast cancer patients undergoing systemic therapy in either preoperative or postoperative setting.

Methods

Between 2003 and 2009, 113 patients received PMRT: 61 underwent preoperative systemic therapy (PST subgroup) and 52 received postoperative systemic therapy (non-PST subgroup).

Results

The median follow-up time was 72.3 months (range, 34.0-109.4 months) for surviving patients. In univariate analysis of all patients, disease-free survival (DFS) was associated with age, nodal ratio (NR), and Ki-67 expression; overall survival (OS) was associated with NR and Ki-67 expression. Pathologic N stage and HER2 expression were marginally associated with DFS and OS. In the non-PST subgroup, DFS was associated with age, NR, venous invasion, and Ki-67 expression; OS was associated with age. In the PST subgroup, DFS was associated with ypN stage and NR; OS was associated with ypN, histologic grade, HER2 expression, and p53 expression. In multivariate analysis of all patients, DFS and OS were significantly associated with NR (p=0.003 and p=0.019, respectively) and Ki-67 expression (p=0.002 and p=0.015, respectively). Patients were classified into low-risk (NR ≤0.2 and Ki-67 ≤20%; n=34), intermediate-risk (NR >0.2 or Ki-67 >20%; n=63), and high-risk (NR >0.2 and Ki-67 >20%; n=16) subgroups. All low-risk patients were alive at the time of analysis. High-risk (p<0.001 and p=0.001, respectively) and intermediate-risk (p=0.022 and p=0.008, respectively) patients had significantly shorter DFS and OS than low-risk patients. This prognostic model was statistically significant for DFS when applied to the PST (p=0.001) and non-PST (p=0.016) subgroups separately.

Conclusion

For breast cancer patients undergoing PMRT, NR and Ki-67 are potential prognostic factors. A model using these factors might help predict a poor prognosis. Whether NR and Ki-67 are also prognostic for different setting of systemic therapy, preoperative or postoperative, warrants further study.     

Multifactorial analysis of predictors of outcome in pediatric intracranial ependymoma

Pediatric ependymomas are enigmatic tumors, and their clinical management remains one of the more difficult in pediatric oncology. The identification of biological correlates of outcome and therapeutic targets remains a significant challenge in this disease. We therefore analyzed a panel of potential biological markers to determine optimal prognostic markers. We constructed a tissue microarray from 97 intracranial tumors from 74 patients (WHO grade II-III) and analyzed the candidate markers nucleolin, telomerase catalytic subunit (hTERT; antibody clone 44F12), survivin, Ki-67, and members of the receptor tyrosine kinase I (RTK-I) family by immunohistochemistry. Telomerase activity was determined using the in vitro-based telomere repeat amplification protocol assay, and telomere length was measured using the telomere restriction fragment assay. Primary tumors with low versus high nucleolin protein expression had a 5-year event-free survival of 74%+/-13% and 31%+/-7%, respectively. Multivariate analysis identified low nucleolin expression to be independently associated with a more favorable prognosis (hazard ratio=6.25; 95% confidence interval, 1.6-24.2; p=0.008). Ki-67 and survivin correlated with histological grade but not with outcome. Immunohistochemical detection of the RTK-I family did not correlate with grade or outcome. Telomerase activity was evident in 19 of 22 primary tumors, with telomere lengthening and/or maintenance occurring in five of seven recurrent cases. Low nucleolin expression was the single most important biological predictor of outcome in pediatric intracranial ependymoma. Furthermore, telomerase reactivation and maintenance of telomeric repeats appear necessary for childhood ependymoma progression. These findings require corroboration in a clinical trial setting.