Analysis of cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors in malignant astrocytomas

The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p16, p21, and p27 in human brain, an d brain tumors were examined to explore clinicopathologic correlations. Wes tern analysis and immunohistochemistry was performed and correlated retrosp ectively with the patients clinical characteristics. A trend was found betw een increased progression-free survival and p27 expression. There was no co rrelation between p27 expression and age or gender. The expression of p27 i n malignant gliomas may have prognostic value. In addition, an investigatio n of the therapeutic benefit of overexpression of this cyclin-dependent kin ase inhibitor is warranted given reports of diminished malignant potential of tumors expressing p27.