Cellular DNA content parameters as prognostic indicators in human astrocytomas.
OBJECTIVE
Clinical parameters such as grade, size and/or location of the tumor are good predictors of outcome in patients with astrocytoma. The objective of this study was to determine whether DNA content parameters have a prognostic significance for this group of tumors.


METHODS
Following optimization and validation of methodology for evaluating cellular DNA content parameters (CDCP), tumor DNA ploidy and percent S phase fraction (SPF) were determined from 64 patients using formalin fixed, paraffin embedded specimens (mean coefficient of variation=4.94) obtained over a 10-year period. Median survival times correlated with grade (I/II=1154 vs. III/IV=483days, P=0.0317). Fifty-five percent of the specimens contained DNA aneuploid (DNA-A) components (average SPF=18.3%) and 45% were DNA diploid (DNA-D) (average SPF=9.6%). Survival did not correlate with overall differences in DNA ploidy (DNA-D=181 vs. DNA-A=206days, P=0.6314) when treated and untreated tumors were analyzed. However, a trend for prolonged median survival was observed in patients whose tumors were untreated with respect to cytotoxic therapy based on DNA ploidy status (DNA-D=275 vs. DNA-A=15days, P=0.3408). Survival for all patients did not correlate with median SPF (<13.5% av.=121 vs. >13.5% av.=154days, P=0.6534).


CONCLUSIONS
DNA content parameters may correlate with the natural history and treatment outcome of newly diagnosed untreated patients with astrocytomas.
El-Rayes
Basil F
BF
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Wayne State University, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
Norton
Camille S
CS
Sakr
Wael
W
Maciorowski
Zosia
Z
Smith
Daryn
D
Pietraszkiewicz
Haline
H
Del Mar Alonso
Maria
M
Ensley
John F
JF
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000782:Aneuploidy; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D016543:Central Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000378:metabolism*; D004171:Diploidy; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011878:Radiotherapy; D016196:S Phase; D016019:Survival Analysis
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm