ARGYROPHILIC NUCLEOLAR ORGANIZER REGIONS AND PROLIFERATING CELL NUCLEAR ANTIGEN CYCLIN IN KAPOSIS-SARCOMA - COMPARISON WITH MORPHOLOGY AND WITH IMMUNOPEROXIDASE STAINING FOR FACTOR VIII-RELATED ANTIGEN

The proposal that Kaposi's sarcoma undergoes cellular transformation f rom early to late stages was studied with argyrophilic nucleolar organ izer regions, proliferating cell nuclear antigen/cyclin, and immunoper oxidase staining for factor VIII-related antigen. Staining of argyroph ilic nucleolar organizer regions was significantly increased in the pl aque/nodular stage compared to the patch stage. The endothelial-select ive marker factor VIII-related antigen stained more intensely in patch stage lesions. This was inversely correlated with staining of argyrop hilic nucleolar organizer regions. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen/ cyclin staining did not correlate with tumor stage or with factor VIII -related antigen. The changes in argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regi ons and factor VIII-related antigen staining are evidence for cellular transformation in Kaposi's sarcoma.