Prognostic value of proliferating cell nuclear antigen immunostaining in pediatric rhabdomyosarcomas.
BACKGROUND
The levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) are almost negligible in long-term quiescent cells and increase dramatically during the cell cycle. Recently, the monoclonal antibodies to PCNA have been used to demonstrate the proliferative component of paraffin-embedded tumor tissues. It has been shown to be available as a simple histological marker of proliferative activity and the PCNA labeling index has been correlated with the prognosis of several malignant neoplasms.


METHODS
Formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissue specimens of 29 primary pediatric rhabdomyosarcomas were immunostained by using an anti-PCNA monoclonal antibody (DAKO PCNA PC10). The relationship between the PCNA index and prognosis, clinicopathological features and survival were assessed retrospectively.


RESULTS
The mean PCNA index for the whole series was 54%. There was no correlation between PCNA index and any of the clinicopathological characteristics. However, patients having tumors with a high (> 54%) PCNA index demonstrated significantly lower survival rates than tumors with a low (< 54%) PCNA index (P = 0.01). Moreover, there were significantly more patients with relapse or progressive disease in the high PCNA index group (P = 0.005).


CONCLUSIONS
The PCNA labeling index can be a useful prognostic factor and a good indicator of recurrence and/or survival in patients with rhabdomyosarcoma.
Tokuç
G
G
Institute of Oncology, Department of Pediatric Oncology, University of Istanbul, Turkey. tokuc@superonline.com
Doğan
O
O
Ayan
I
I
Kebudi
R
R
Doğan
S
S
Demiryont
M
M
Camlica
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012208:Rhabdomyosarcoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D016019:Survival Analysis
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen