[Proliferation and hTERT expression in neuroblastoma].
BACKGROUND
Transcription of the catalytic subunit of telomerase, human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (hTERT), and increased tumor cell proliferation are powerful prognostic factors in neuroblastoma. We therefore investigated their relationship in a large group of neuroblastomas.


METHODS
RT-PCR analysis was used to discriminate between the various hTERT transcripts. Tumor cell proliferation was assessed immunohistochemically using two different cell-cycle specific antibodies and the results were compared by statistical analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
54 out of 115 neuroblastomas showed hTERT transcripts, 25 of which also possessed full-length transcripts. Full-length hTERT transcripts were correlated with MYCN-amplification, with a Ki67-proliferation index > or = 25% and a repp86-proliferation index > or = 10% (p<0,0001), but only a Ki67-proliferation index > or = 25% was associated with general hTERT transcription (p=0,001). Our data confirm the close relationship between hTERT transcription and tumor cell proliferation and further strengthen the exceptional prognostic power of the repp86-proliferation index.
Krams
M
M
Institute für Paidopathologie und allgemeine Pathologie, Universitätklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel. mkrams@path.uni-kiel.de
Rudolph
P
P
Harms
D
D
D002455:Cell Division; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D006801:Humans; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D011379:Prognosis; D019098:Telomerase / Q000235:genetics*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000235:genetics
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D019098:Telomerase