ASSESSMENT OF PROLIFERATING CELL NUCLEAR ANTIGEN IN NASOPHARYNGEAL CARCINOMA TISSUE AND ITS RELATION TO CLINICAL FINDINGS

47 newly diagnosed patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) were s tudied using the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunostain ing technique. The results were reproducible as shown by assessment of three separate sections performed for each patient. No statistical co rrelation was found between PCNA labelling index (LI) and Ho's clinica l staging or time required to achieve complete remission of the local disease. A higher PCNA LI was associated with a poorer disease-free su rvival. The literature on the use of PCNA in human tumours is reviewed . (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.