MIB-1(Ki-67) index and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGFα) immunoreactivity are significant prognostic predictors for meningiomas

Mitotic index >6, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) index >5%, high tumour grade and absence of progesterone receptors (PR) are significant predictors for poor outcome in meningiomas. Since MIB-1 (Ki-67) is a more specific cell proliferation marker, and overexpression of TGF-alpha is also associated with tumour progression, we compared the prognostic significance of these factors with the other indices. Intracranial meningiomas from 21 men and 36 women (age 54.5±1.7, mean±sem) were classified as 24 benign, 24 atypical and nine malignant. Twenty-one of the 57 tumours recurred (mean interval to recurrence was 57.3±13.1 months). The mean follow-up period for patients without tumour recurrence was 81.9±8.7 months. MIB-1 labelling index (LI) was expressed as percentage of labelled nuclei to total tumour nuclei counted in the most densely labelled areas. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences between tumour grades for MIB-1 labelling indices (0.75±0.21 for benign, 3.2±0.57 for atypical, 6.04±1.48 for malignant; P≤0.0066), and between malignant and non-malignant meningiomas for TGFα staining scores (P≤0.029). MIB-1 LI also correlated with mitotic and PCNA indices (P≤0.0001), but not with age of the patients. Male patients had higher tumour MIB-1 LI than females (P≤0.0128). Univariate analysis indicated that MIB-1 LI>3%, TGFα score >4 (scoring scale 0–5), mitotic index >6, and negative PR status were significant factors for worse outcome. Higher MIB-1 LI, TGFα score and mitotic index as continuous variables were also significant negative predictors. With multivariate analysis, both MIB-1 LI and TGFα score remained significant factors when paired with all other variables: TGFα or MIB-1 LI, respectively, mitosis, PCNA, tumour grade, PR status, age, sex, postoperative radiation therapy. We conclude that MIB-1 LI and TGFα score are important independent prognostic indicators for patients with meningiomas.