Relationship between PCNA, nm23-H1 expression and prognostic factors in supratentorial astrocytoma

Objective: To study the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), metastasis-related gene nm23-H1 in supratentorial astrocytomas, and analyze the prognostic factors and the relationship between PCNA expression, nm23-H1 expression and clinical, MRI features. Methods: From November 1994 to December 1998, 52 pathologically proved astrocytoma patients with complete clinical data were analyzed. The expressions of PCNA and nm23-H1 were detected by streptabitin peroxidase (SP) immunohistochemical method. Clinical and MRI data were collected and analyzed by Cox proportional hazard model . Results: There was a significant difference in the expressions of PCNA and nm23-H1 in the lesion and their adjacent tissues (P<0.05). The expression of PCNA was associated with the survival rate and some MRI findings, but the nm23-H1 protein was not associated with the survival rate. There was no correlation between PCNA and nm23-H1 expressions. Tumor pathological grade and the PCNA expression were important prognostic factors for survival by Cox proportional hazard model analysis. Conclusions: Expression of PCNA, correlating with the MRI findings, can predict the survival of the supratentorial astrocytoma. PCNA and pathological grade are valuable prognostic factors