title: The value of cell cycle analysis by propidium-iodine staining of CD56+ cells in pediatric brain tumors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry has not been adequately studied in pediatric brain tumors. We investigated the value of cell cycle analysis by propidium-iodine (PI) staining of CD56+ (gated) cells for the characterization of pediatric brain tumor's malignancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients that underwent surgery for an intracranial lesion and tissue sample was available were included in the study. All tumor samples were histopathologically verified before flow cytometric analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 46 pediatric brain tumor cases. As control we used samples from three cases of brain tissue obtained during surgery for epilepsy. All tumors had significant lower G0/G1 and significant higher S-phase, G2/M fraction, S+G2/M and S+G2/M/G0/G1-phase fraction than normal brain tissue. Low-grade tumors had significant lower S-phase than high grade tumors. Grade IV tumors had significant lower G0/G1 fraction and higher S+G2/M/G0/G1 index than grade III tumors. DNA diploidy was detected in 24 tumors and DNA aneuploidy was detected in 23 tumors. There was a significant correlation between Ki-67 index and both S+G2/M and S+G2/M/G0/G1 phase fraction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cell cycle analysis by PI staining of CD56+ cells is a promising method for the assessment of pediatric brain tumors malignancy and could be a valuable adjunct to histopathological evaluation.
authors: Haematology Laboratory, Unit of Molecular Biology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
authors: George
authors: G
authors: Vartholomatos
authors: Haematology Laboratory, Unit of Molecular Biology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece; Department of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital "Agia Sofia", Athens, Greece. Electronic address: alexiougrg@yahoo.gr.
authors: George A
authors: GA
authors: Alexiou
authors: Department of Pathology, Children's Hospital "Agia Sofia", Athens, Greece.
authors: Kalliopi
authors: K
authors: Stefanaki
authors: Department of Plastic Surgery, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
authors: Efstathios G
authors: EG
authors: Lykoudis
authors: Haematology Laboratory, Unit of Molecular Biology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece; Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
authors: Georgia
authors: G
authors: Tseka
authors: Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
authors: Meropi
authors: M
authors: Tzoufi
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital "Agia Sofia", Athens, Greece.
authors: George
authors: G
authors: Sfakianos
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital "Agia Sofia", Athens, Greece.
authors: Neofytos
authors: N
authors: Prodromou
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D019002:CD56 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism*; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D016195:G2 Phase / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D060787:Neoplasm Grading; D011419:Propidium; D016196:S Phase / Q000502:physiology; D013194:Staining and Labeling
chemical_list: D019002:CD56 Antigen; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; C522918:NCAM1 protein, human; D011419:Propidium
keywords: Brain tumor; Cell cycle; Children; Flow cytometry