PROGNOSTIC-SIGNIFICANCE OF PROLIFERATING CELL NUCLEAR ANTIGEN (PCNA) IN ADENOCARCINOMA OF THE LUNG

The aim of the study was to investigate the prognostic value of the pr oliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression in non-small cell l ung carcinomas (NSCLC). Two hundred and sixteen patients with previous ly untreated NSCLC entered into this investigation. For assessment of PCNA expression the streptavidin-biotinylated peroxidase complex metho d was performed using imnuunohistochemistry and Mab PC10. The tumors w ere scored for the percentage of PCNA-positive cells (low proliferativ e activity less than or equal to 25%; high proliferative activity >25% ). Univariate analyses of all patients showed a trend that those with high proliferating tumors had shorter survival times than those with l ower proliferating tumors. Similar results were obtained when the anal ysis was restricted to squamous cell carcinomas. Patients with adenoca rcinomas and with high proliferating tumors had significantly shorter survival times than those with low proliferating tumors (p=0.028). No correlation was found between extent of tumors or metastasis and expre ssion of PCNA. The multivariate analysis including age, sex, extent of tumors and metastasis as well as PCNA revealed a highly significant i nfluence of extent of tumors (p=0.007) and metastasis (p=0.003) wherea s all other factors including PCNA were of no significant influence.