Prognostic relevance of MIB-1 immunoreactivity, S-phase fraction, 5-bromo-2 '-deoxyuridine labeling indices, and mitotic figures in gliomas

Prognostic relevance of cell proliferation markers was evaluated in 27 glio ma patients. By 1) flow cytometry (FCM), i.e., S-phase fraction (SPF), and BrdUrd-labeling index (LIfcm); 2) immunohistochemistry (IHC), i.e., BrdUrd- labeling index (LIihc) and MIB-1 immunoreactivity (MIB-1 LIihc); and 3) his tologic examination, i.e., the presence or absence of cells in mitoses, wer e assessed. A longer local progression free survival (LPFS) was significant ly associated with low SPF, low LIfcm, and low MIB-1 LIihc. For LIihc, no s ignificant association was found. LIfcm appeared to be a more promising pro gnosticator than MIB-1 LIihc. In comparison with this marker, the presence or absence of mitotic figures appeared to be an even stronger prognosticato r. Prognostic significance of LIfcm appeared to be of importance in low-gra de gliomas. The number of patients in our study is limited. Our findings we re: 1) the presence or absence of cells in mitoses (M-phase activity) appea red to be of more prognostic significance than LIfcm (S-phase activity) and MIB-1 LIihc (non-G0-phase activity); 2) of the tested experimental cell pr oliferation markers, LIfcm appeared to be of more prognostic significance t han MIB-1 LIihc, SPF, and LIihc; and 3) LIfcm is likely to be an important prognosticator in low-grade gliomas and is, therefore, not definitive and o nly of potential interest. Radiat. Oncol. Invest. 7:243-248, 1999. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.