PROLIFERATING CELL NUCLEAR ANTIGEN IMMUNOSTAINING AND SURVIVAL IN CEREBRAL ASTROCYTOMA

In order to test the prognostic value of a proliferation index in cere bral astrocytoma, proliferating cell nuclear antigen immunostaining wa s performed on formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded biopsies of 42 ast rocytomas (21 serial stereotactic and 21 open surgical biopsies). Tumo urs were categorized as having a low (< 50%) or high (> 50%) labelling index. Tumour grading was also carried out. Several clinicotherapeuti c factors were recorded. At least 40 months follow-up was available on all surviving patients. Survival estimated by the Kaplan and Meier me thod was significantly longer in tumours with a low proliferation inde x than in those with a high one (mean 20.4 months v. 10 months). Accor ding to Cox multiple regression analysis, the age of the patient and g rading were significantly related to survival, whereas the proliferati on index lost its significance.