Prognostic value of tumor-associated antigens immunoreactivity and apoptosis in medulloblastomas. An analysis of 73 cases.
Medulloblastomas (MB) are the most common central nervous system malignancies in children. Numerous publications describe efforts to identify the predictive value of various patterns of MB pathology and immunohistochemistry, but received data appear to be controversial. Seventy-three patients with cerebellar MB were studied retrospectively. Tumor specimens were immunohistochemically examined with antibodies to various tumor-associated antigens. Also, apoptosis detection by the in situ end-labeling method was performed. Survival analysis was made using univariate and multivariate models. Tenascin immunoreactivity and apoptotic index (AI) > or = 1.5% were found to be closely associated with poor prognosis according to an univariate analysis (P = 0.008 and 0.003, respectively). The multivariate Cox proportional hazard model exhibited independent prognostic value for the apoptotic rate only (P = 0.023). Tumors with tenascin expression and AI > or = 1.5% significantly prevailed among MB with metastatic dissemination, whereas expression of c-erbB2 oncoprotein and epidermal growth factor receptor was found to be more typical for cases with local tumor recurrence. We came to the conclusion that tenascin immunoreactivity and AI were useful for individual MB prognosis.
Korshunov
A
A
Department of Neuropathology, Neurosurgical NN Burdenko Institute, Moscow, Russia.
Golanov
A
A
Ozerov
S
S
Sycheva
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D017209:Apoptosis; D002528:Cerebellar Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D008297:Male; D008527:Medulloblastoma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm