title: Cellular DNA content parameters as prognostic indicators in human astrocytomas.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Wayne State University, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
authors.forename: Basil F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: El-Rayes
authors.forename: Camille S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Norton
authors.forename: Wael
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sakr
authors.forename: Zosia
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Maciorowski
authors.forename: Daryn
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Haline
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pietraszkiewicz
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Del Mar Alonso
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Ensley
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm