IMAGE CYTOMETRIC MEASUREMENT OF NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION MARKERS (MIB-1,PCNA) IN ASTROCYTOMAS - PROGNOSTIC-SIGNIFICANCE

Proliferative activity in astrocytomas, measured by image cytometry, w as related to prognosis. Fifty-eight astrocytic neoplasms (grade 1 or 2, 11; grade 3, 31; glioblastoma multiforme, 16) were immunostained fo r Ki-67 (MIB-1; 1:50) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA; pr ediluted). Proliferative activity (nuclear immunostain) was measured a s the percentage positive nuclear area by image cytometry. With a medi an of 12.0% and 24.0% for MIB-1 and PCNA, respectively, for all astroc ytomas, the mean percentage positive nuclear area for MIB-1 and PCNA,N as, respectively, 3.06% and 13.11% in low-grade (1 or 2) astrocytomas, 14.34% and 29.68% in high-grade (3) astrocytomas, and 18.77% and 44.1 1% in glioblastoma multiforme (grade 4). One-way analysis of variance showed a significant correlation between the histologic grade and MIB- 1 and between the histologic grade and PCNA. The Cox Proportional Haza rds Regression Model showed a statistically significant correlation be tween survival and MIB-1 and between survival and PCNA. Increasing pro liferation correlated with shortened survival. Proliferation in astroc ytomas, measured as MIB-1 and PCNA by image cytometry, correlates sign ificantly with histologic grade and patient survival, providing useful additional information for determining the diagnosis and prognosis.