PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF KI-67 EXPRESSION IN RENAL-CELL CARCINOMAS

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the prognostic power of Ki-67 immunostaining in renal cell carcinomas (RCC). Methods: Clini cal follow-up data were reviewed in 111 PCC and the results of Ki-67 i mmunolabelling were correlated to standard prognostic factors and surv ival data of the patients. Results: Ki-67 expression correlated with t umor grade (p < 0.0001) and mitotic activity (p < 0.0001). In survival analysis Ki-67 expression could be used to divide patients into diffe rent prognostic groups (p = 0.0003). In separate analysis with M-0 tum ors Ki-67 immunolabelling was a powerful predictor of survival (p = 0. 0016) as well as disease-free survival (DFS; p = 0.0067). In T1-2N0M0 tumors Ki-67 immunolabelling was superior (p = 0.0005) to other progno stic factors in survival analysis as well as in predicting DFS (p = 0. 0006). Grade-2 tumors could be separated into distinct prognostic grou ps according to Ki-67 labelling (p = 0.0098). In Cox's multivariate an alysis Ki-67 was an independent prognostic factor in all three subgrou ps of RCC. Conclusions: The results show that Ki-67 expression is an i ndependent prognostic factor in renal adenocarcinoma and could be appl ied in defining proper therapy for patients suffering from this malign ancy.