Ki-67 Labeling Index (ki-67 + labeling_index)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Medical Sciences


Selected Abstracts


Differences and relationships of thymidine phosphorylase expression in tumor-associated macrophages and cancer cells in squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus

DISEASES OF THE ESOPHAGUS, Issue 1 2002
N. Koide
SUMMARY. Thymidine phosphorylase (TP), which has been shown to be identical to platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor, is expressed in tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) as well as cancer cells. The aim of this study was to clarify the differences or relationships of TP expression in TAMs and cancer cells in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Tissues samples were taken from 56 patients with esophageal SCC after curative surgery. The expression of TP in TAMs or SCC cells was examined using a monoclonal antibody to TP (clone 654,1). Microvessels in SCC that stained positively for Factor VIII-related antigen were counted (microvessel density, MVD). Macrophages in SCC that stained positively for CD68 antigen were counted (monocytic count). Ki-67 antigen was immunostained with MIB-1, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate biotin nick end labeling was performed, and Ki-67 labeling index (LI) and apoptotic index were calculated. The expression of TP in stromal cells and cancer cells was observed in 43 (76.8%) and 33 patients (58.9%), respectively. There were significant correlations between TP expression in stromal cells (TAMs) as well as in cancer cells and venous invasion, distant metastasis, or MVD. There was a correlation between TP expression in cancer cells and lymph node metastasis, and there were correlations between TP expression in TAMs and monocytic count or Ki-67 LI; however, there was no correlation between TP expression in TAMs and lymph node metastasis. On the other hand, in SCCs with TP expression in both TAMs and cancer cells, higher frequencies of venous invasion and distant metastasis, higher MVD and lower apoptotic index were observed than in other SCCs. The 5-year survival rate in patients with TP expression in both TAMs and cancer cells was poorer than that in patients with TP expression in neither TAMs and cancer cell. In conclusion, these results suggest that co-expression of TP in TAMs and cancer cells is strongly associated with angiogenic promotion and distant metastasis. However, other effects of TP, such as promotion of tumor growth and lymph node metastasis, may be different depending on whether these are expressed in TAMs or cancer cells in esophageal SCCs. Patients with coexpression of TP in TAMs and cancer cells may be associated with a poor prognosis. [source]


Impact of Helicobacter pylori Eradication Therapy on Histologic Change in the Distal Esophagus

HELICOBACTER, Issue 4 2006
Masanori Toyoda
Abstract Background:, Although cases of reflux esophagitis (RE) developing after treatment to eradicate Helicobacter pylori have been discussed in some detail, no reports are available concerning the histologic examination of RE both before and after eradication therapy. Materials and methods:, Sixty-one patients and 111 specimens were investigated using endoscopic and histologic techniques. The histologic findings including basal zone height, papillar height, Ki-67 labeling index, and COX-2 expression before and after treatment for H. pylori infection were compared with those in normal controls and patients with endoscopic RE. Results:, Twelve months after eradication therapy, the incidence of newly developed endoscopic RE was 20% (5/25). Basal zone height and papillar height had increased at 1 month, but had returned to pretreatment levels after 12 months of eradication therapy. The Ki-67 labeling index was significantly increased 1 and 12 months after eradication therapy compared to values before treatment. COX-2 expression gradually increased after the treatment. The phenomena linked to esophagitis appeared after eradication therapy. However, the severity and extent of these signs were not so high after the treatment of H. pylori than those in patients with overt reflux esophagitis. Focusing on the patients with hiatal hernia, papillar height and Ki-67 labeling index increased significantly after eradication therapy, values being almost the same as those in the patients with endoscopic RE. Conclusions:, Hiatal hernia plays an important role in the possible occurrence of hidden RE after treatment for a H. pylori infection. [source]


Immunohistologic study on the expressions of ,-fetoprotein and protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist II in surgically resected small hepatocellular carcinoma

HEPATOLOGY, Issue 6 2001
Miwako Fujioka
Sixty-eight cases of single hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with less than 3 cm of diameter were immunohistochemically examined for the expressions of ,-fetoprotein (AFP) and protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist II (PIVKA-II). In cancerous tissues, the expression rate was significantly higher for PIVKA-II (34 cases [50%]) than AFP (21 cases [31%]) (P < .05), suggesting a higher specificity of PIVKA-II to small HCC. Sixteen of the 68 cases (24%) were positive to both AFP and PIVKA-II, and in 8 of the 16 cases, AFP and PIVKA-II expressing areas within a nodule were clearly divided by a fibrous septum. According to histologic grades, PIVKA-II expression was confirmed in 2 of the 15 well-differentiated HCCs, and in the well-differentiated component of 6 of the 12 "nodule-in-nodule",type well-differentiated HCCs. AFP expression was not found in well-differentiated HCCs, but found in 16 of the 40 moderately differentiated HCCs (40%) and in the moderately differentiated component of 3 of the 12 "nodule-in-nodule",type well-differentiated HCCs. The positive rate in the tissues was correlated to the serum levels for both AFP and PIVKA-II. In addition, frequency of tissue,PIVKA-II expression was higher than tissue-AFP expression in the cases whose serum protein level was within the normal range. This indicates that AFP and PIVKA-II have different patterns of tissue expression and of secretion to the blood. In comparison with tissue-AFP,negative cases, tissue-AFP,positive HCCs had a larger tumor size, higher frequencies of portal vein invasion and intrahepatic metastasis, a high Ki-67 labeling index, and a lower rate of recurrence-free survival. Thus, tissue-AFP,positive HCCs are suggested to be biologically more malignant than those HCCs that are AFP-negative and PIVKA-II,positive. [source]


The Impact of Interferon Gamma Receptor Expression on the Mechanism of Escape From Host Immune Surveillance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

HEPATOLOGY, Issue 3 2000
Mitsuo Nagao M.D.
Interferon gamma (IFN-,) plays an important role in host defense mechanism and participates in the progression of chronic liver disease. IFN-, exerts its pleiotrophic effects by transcriptional regulation of expression of numerous genes, such as major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and Fas, through interaction with IFN-, receptor (IFN-,-R). Although hepatocytes in normal liver express weak or no IFN-,-R, those in acute and chronic liver disease up-regulate its expression. A study using IFN-,-R ,-chain knock-out mice revealed the actions of IFN-, on tumor cells as an extrinsic tumor-suppressor mechanism. However, it is unclear whether or how hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) blocks the signal transduction of IFN-, to evade host immune surveillance. We examined the expression of IFN-,-R and IFN-,,inducible genes in 44 cases with HCC using real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. In noncancerous liver tissues (n = 38), IFN-,-R expression on the cell surface was up-regulated in 27 cases. In IFN-,-R,negative cases (n = 15), tumor size was larger (P = .032), serum ,-fetoprotein (AFP) level was higher (P = .001), intrahepatic and extrahepatic metastasis was more common (P = .044 and .013, respectively), and Ki-67 labeling index (LI) was higher (P = .041), compared with IFN-,-R,positive cases. Accordingly, the evasion mechanism may play an important role in progression, especially metastasis, in HCC. The significant correlation between the status of IFN-,-R and the expression of Fas and MHC implies that the loss of IFN-,-R might contribute to the mechanism of escape from host immune rejection in HCC. [source]


BRAF mutation associated with dysregulation of apoptosis in human colorectal neoplasms

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 6 2005
Nobunao Ikehara
Abstract To understand the role of BRAF dysfunction in the carcinogenesis and progression/development of colorectal tumors, the authors investigated genetic alterations in the BRAF gene in human colorectal neoplasms as well as the effects of an RAS inhibitor in BRAF -mutant cells. Seven colon cancer cell lines and 116 colorectal tumors (34 adenomas and 82 adenocarcinomas) were analyzed. Genetic alterations in the BRAF and K- ras genes were examined using polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism and direct sequencing analyses. The growth-inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing effects of the FTI-277 RAS inhibitor in colon cancer cell lines were analyzed as well. An immunohistochemical study was also performed to investigate the correlations between the clinicopathologic parameters involved in the Ki-67 labeling index and the number of apoptotic bodies in tumor cells. FTI-277 did not suppress the proliferation of BRAF -mutant cells (WiDr and TCO), but remarkably inhibited the growth of K- ras mutant cells (LoVo). Interestingly, LoVo cells underwent apoptosis by FTI-277 in a dose-dependent manner, whereas WiDr cells were resistant to this agent. In tumor samples, BRAF mutations were found in 1 (3.0%) of 33 adenomas and 6 (7.2%) of 83 adenocarcinomas. No tumor exhibited mutations in both the BRAF and K- ras genes. Neither BRAF nor K- ras mutations correlated with the Ki-67 labeling index immunohistochemically. However, the number of apoptotic bodies was significantly decreased in the BRAF -mutant tumors. Mutation in the BRAF gene may contribute to colorectal carcinogenesis by upregulating the antiapoptotic role of the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK pathway. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


The prognostic value of p53, Ki-67 and matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 in transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis and ureter

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 11 2005
SHUICHI KAMIJIMA
Aim: To investigate the prognostic and predictive relevance of p53 protein, Ki-67 antigen, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in patients with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the upper urinary tract. Methods: The expression of p53 protein, Ki-67 antigen, MMP-2 and MMP-9 was examined by immunohistochemistry in 69 patients with TCC of the upper urinary tract. Correlation of p53, Ki-67, MMP-2 and MMP-9 over-expression with conventional pathological parameters and patient survival was examined. Results: p53 over-expression was signi,cantly correlated with histological grade (P < 0.05), but not with pathological stage, vascular invasion, lymphatic invasion or lymph node metastasis. Ki-67 over-expression was signi,cantly correlated with stage, grade, lymphatic invasion and vascular invasion (P < 0.05). In survival analyses, Ki-67 over-expression was a signi,cant prognostic factor in the univariate analysis (P < 0.05), but it did not have a signi,cant impact on survival in the multivariate analysis. Ki-67 labeling index was a signi,cant prognostic factor in patients with a low p53 labeling index, but not in patients with a high p53 labeling index. Conclusion: Ki-67 over-expression is of prognostic value in TCC of the upper urinary tract, while p53, MMP-2 and MMP-9 are of limited value. [source]


Clear cell myoepithelial carcinoma of the skin.

JOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS PATHOLOGY, Issue 6 2009
A case report
Myoepitheliomas are tumors of myoepithelial cells, most frequently diagnosed in the salivary glands. Cutaneous location is very rare, especially for malignant variant. We report a case of recurrent cutaneous myoepithelial carcinoma of the femoral region in a 51-year-old woman. Histologically, the tumor was confined to the dermis and superficial subcutaneous fat tissue, exhibiting typical multinodular pattern. The majority of tumor cells were of clear cell type, although rare epithelioid and spindle cells were also present. Nuclear atypia, mitotic activity of 12 mitoses per 10 microscopic high power fields and Ki-67 labeling index of 20%, as well as three recurrences, corroborated the malignant nature of the tumor. Immunohistochemistry showed positivity for cytokeratin, epithelial membrane antigen, vimentin, S-100 protein and myogenic markers (,-smooth muscle actin and muscle-specific actin HHF-35) in keeping with the myoepithelial cell immunophenotype. Staining for CD34, desmin and HMB-45 was negative. Myoepithelial carcinoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cutaneous neoplasms composed predominantly of clear cells. [source]


Role of cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase in pancreatic cancer

JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 8 2002
Gu Kong
Abstract Background and Aim: Recently, it has been recognized that both cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) produce important endogenous factors of human tumor progression. However, the clinicopathological and biological significance of the expression of COX-2 and iNOS in pancreatic cancer remains unclear. The objective of this study is to find the possible roles and clinical significance of COX-2 and iNOS expression in pancreatic cancer. Methods: Seventy-two pancreatic adenocarcinoma tissue specimens were obtained through surgical resection. We investigated the immunohistochemical expression of COX-2 and iNOS in respect to variable clinicopathological characteristics, proliferation activity (by Ki-67 expression), apoptosis (by terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling stain), and microvessel density (by CD34 expression; angiogenesis). Results: Immunohistochemical investigations demonstrated immunolabeling of tumor cells with the primary antibodies, bovine anti-iNOS and anti-COX-2 antibodies. The COX-2 and iNOS positive rates were 41.7 and 66.7%, respectively. There was significant correlation between positive COX-2 and positive iNOS expression (P = 0.043). The proliferation index (Ki-67 labeling index) was higher in COX-2 positive specimens compared to COX-2 negative specimen (P = 0.015). The apoptotic index of positive iNOS expressions was significantly higher than negative expressions (P < 0.001). The expression of COX-2 and iNOS proteins did not correlate with age, sex, serum bilirubin, CA-19,9, location, size, American Joint Committee on Cancer stage, differentiation, distant metastasis, patient survival, or microvessel density. Conclusions: Although the pattern of positive expression was similar in both enzymes, the effect on tumor progression differed; iNOS expression may play a role in apoptosis of tumor cell, while COX-2 expression may contribute to tumor proliferation. However, COX-2 and iNOS expression is not related to prognosis in patients with pancreatic cancer. © 2002 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd [source]


Histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis of calcifying odontogenic cysts

JOURNAL OF ORAL PATHOLOGY & MEDICINE, Issue 10 2001
Mitsuhide Yoshida
Abstract: Method and Results: Calcifying odontogenic cysts (COCs) were examined histopathologically and immunohistochemically to characterize the histological and cytological properties of these lesions. Histopathologically, COCs showed thin or thick lining epithelium with ghost cells. COCs were classified according to proliferative type or nonproliferative type lining epithelium, the presence or absence of ameloblastomatous appearance, and the presence or absence of odontoma in the cyst walls. Immunohistochemically, amelogenin protein was expressed chiefly in ghost cells, whereas cytokeratin 19 (CK19) and bcl-2 proteins were expressed chiefly in lining epithelial cells. The proportion of cases positive for bcl-2 protein was slightly higher in COCs with odontoma than in those without odontoma. Lining epithelial cells sporadically showed positive reactions for Ki-67 antigen. Mean Ki-67 labeling index was slightly greater in COCs with proliferative type lining epithelium, COCs with ameloblastomatous appearance of the cyst walls, and COCs with odontoma of the cyst walls than in COCs without these histological features. Our results suggest that ghost cells or lining epithelial cells show ameloblastic cytodifferentiation or odontogenic epithelial characteristics, that bcl-2 protein is associated with survival of lining epithelial cells in COCs, and that high proliferation potential is associated with ameloblastomatous proliferation or combined odontoma. COCs exhibited various histological features with several transitional forms, and immunohistochemical examinations revealed little or no difference in cytodifferentiation and cellular activity among COCs. Conclusion: We conclude that COCs with various histological features have neoplastic potential and may not be separate entities within the same histological spectrum. [source]


Benign myoepithelioma of the breast: Origin and development

PATHOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 6 2009
Hajime Hikino
A case of benign myoepithelioma of the breast in a 55-year-old woman is described. The tumor was a well-circumscribed solid mass, measuring 13 × 12 mm. Histopathology indicated that the tumor was composed of entirely myoepithelial cells, which was confirmed by immunoreactivity to calponin and S-100. There was no ductal differentiation in the tumor, and staining for pan-cytokeratin and epithelial membrane antigen was weak and negative, respectively. Although the biological behavior of the tumor remains to be ascertained, the tumor was considered to be myoepithelioma with benign features due to mild nuclear pleomorphism, sparse mitotic figures, low Ki-67 labeling index and low S-phase fraction. Diagnostic confusion between benign myoepithelioma and other myoepithelial-rich cell tumors is possible. Considering the classification of myoepithelial tumor in the salivary glands, benign myoepithelioma of the breast may possess a different development process from adenomyoepithelioma. [source]


L-type amino-acid transporter 1 as a novel biomarker for high-grade malignancy in prostate cancer

PATHOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 1 2009
Takeshi Sakata
To find reliable biomarkers for high-grade malignancy, the relationship between immunohistochemical L-type amino-acid transporter 1 (LAT1) expression of biopsy samples, determined with the newly developed monoclonal antibody against human LAT1, and prognosis of patients with prostate cancer, was investigated. The intensity and score of immunohistochemical LAT1 expression of first biopsy samples were assessed using the modified Sinicrope et al. method and were found to be correlated with poor survival for the study group of 114 surgically treated patients as a whole (P = 0.0002 and 0.0270, respectively). LAT1 intensity further had a significant relationship (P = 0.0057) with prognosis in pathological T3 + T4 groups. Multivariate analysis indicated that the LAT1 intensity and score were more reliable prognostic markers, compared with the Gleason score and the Ki-67 labeling index. A relationship of the LAT1 intensity and score with prognosis could also be confirmed in 63 patients with inoperable cancer (P = 0.0070 and <0.0001, respectively). Similarly, significant differences in prognosis were confirmed in clinical T3 + T4 groups (P = 0.0091 and 0.0244, respectively). Moreover, the combination of LAT1 expression and Gleason score was found to have a more reliable correlation with prognosis. Thus, elevated LAT1 expression in prostate cancers is a novel independent biomarker of high-grade malignancy, which can be utilized together with the Gleason score, which is mainly dependent on cellular and structural atypia, to assess prognosis. [source]


Immunohistochemical study of the relationship between Ki-67 labeling index of proliferating cells of gynecomastia, histological phase and duration of disease

PATHOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 11 2006
Seishi Kono
Gynecomastia is a benign proliferative lesion caused by various etiological factors and may result from a relative imbalance between serum estrogen and androgen levels. The histological alterations are similar, and gynecomastia can progress from a florid type to a fibrous type. The Ki-67 labeling index (LI) of gynecomastia specimen was investigated and higher Ki-67 LI was observed in florid and intermediate than in fibrous gynecomastia (P = 0.017). A correlation was found between the duration of disease and Ki-67 LI (P = 0.041): the shorter the duration the higher the Ki-67 LI. Thus, Ki-67 LI seems a useful tool to examine proliferation activity of gynecomastia and can assist in determination of appropriate treatment of gynecomastia with hormonal therapy. [source]


Uterine lipoleiomyoma: A histopathological review of 17 cases

PATHOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 10 2004
Thida Aung
Lipoleiomyoma is a rare uterine tumor. The exact frequency and proliferation activity are not yet known. This study aims to know the frequency and evaluate the relation with renal angiomyolipoma. Lipoleiomyoma cases were immunohistochemically stained by antibodies for Ki-67, melanoma specific antigen HMB45, S-100 protein, and , smooth muscle actin (,-SMA). Frequency of uterine lipoleiomyoma among ,uterine ,myomatous ,tumor ,was ,17/4904 ,(0.35%) ,in the Department of Human Pathology, Field of Oncology, Kagoshima University Graduate School database (1983,2003). Patients ranged from 45 to 74 years of age, and 10 cases were associated with leiomyoma. Six of 17 (35%) cases showed areas with renal angiomyolipoma-like vessels and atypical cellular features. Immunostaining was available in 12 cases. By Ki-67 labeling index, both muscle (average 1.38%) and fat (average 1.17%) portions of the tumor had greater proliferation than normal myometrium (average 0.76%), which suggests that fat portions of the tumor are proliferating adipose tissue rather than fatty degeneration of muscular counterpart. HMB45 antigen, which is positive in renal angiomyolipoma, was negative in three uterine cases having angiomyolipoma-like vessels (3/12). However, HMB45 antigen was positive in spindle-shaped tumor cells of three cases (3/12) which lacked angiomyolipoma-like vessels. Presence of angiomyolipoma-like blood vessels in these tumors is not an uncommon feature. However, the diagnosis of uterine angiomyolipoma should not be based on the result of HMB45 antigen immunoreactivity alone. [source]


The diagnostic and prognostic relevance of human telomerase reverse transcriptase mRNA expression detected in situ in patients with nonsmall cell lung carcinoma

CANCER, Issue 5 2003
Yuka Fujita M.D.
Abstract BACKGROUND The objectives of this study were to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic relevance of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) detected in situ in patients with nonsmall cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and to investigate the possible correlations between hTERT mRNA in NSCLC and the patients' clinicopathologic features, including survival. METHODS hTERT mRNA was detected by in situ hybridization in 146 samples from patients with NSCLC. The signal intensity of hTERT mRNA expression was evaluated by two independent observers. The expression level was defined subjectively as strong, moderate, or weak. RESULTS hTERT mRNA was detected mainly in the cytoplasm of tumor cells. It was detected in the cytoplasm of 100% of samples from patients with NSCLC but was not detected in normal lung tissue, except in activated lymphocytes. There was a significant correlation between hTERT mRNA expression and pathologic tumor status, pathologic disease stage (pStage), and Ki-67 labeling index. There was no significant correlation between hTERT mRNA expression and age, gender, pathologic lymph node status (pN), histology, or tumor differentiation. The 5-year survival rates for patients with strong and moderate hTERT mRNA expression levels were 46.9% and 77.9%, respectively; the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.0001). A multivariate analysis of survival using a stepwise procedure revealed that hTERT mRNA expression, pN status, pStage, and age were statistically significant prognostic factors (P = 0.0029, P = 0.0012, P = 0.0237, and P = 0.0496, respectively). CONCLUSIONS The findings suggested that hTERT mRNA expression may be useful for the diagnosis of NSCLC and also may be an independent prognostic factor for patients with NSCLC. Cancer 2003;98:1008,13. © 2003 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.11611 [source]


Correlation of angiogenesis with 18F-FMT and 18F-FDG uptake in non-small cell lung cancer

CANCER SCIENCE, Issue 4 2009
Kyoichi Kaira
L-[3- 18F]-,-methyltyrosine (18F-FMT) is an amino-acid tracer for positron-emission tomography (PET). We have conducted a clinicopathologic study to elucidate the correlation of angiogenesis with 18F-FMT and 2-[18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (18F-FDG) uptake in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Thirty-seven NSCLC patients were enrolled in this study, and two PET studies with 18F-FMT and 18F-FDG were performed. Uptake of PET tracers was evaluated with standardized uptake value. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), CD31, CD34, L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) and Ki-67 labeling index of the resected tumors were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining, and correlated with the clinicopathologic variables and the uptake of PET tracers. The median VEGF rate was 45% (range, 10,78%). High expression was seen in 30 patients (81%, 30/37). VEGF expression was statistically associated with progressively growing microvessel count. VEGF showed a correlation with LAT1 expression (P = 0.04) and Ki-67 labeling index (P = 0.01). However, it showed no correlation with age, gender, disease stage, tumor size, and histology. Microvessel density (MVD) showed no correlation with any parameters. 18F-FMT and 18F-FDG uptake correlated significantly with VEGF (P < 0.0001, P = 0.026, respectively), whereas the correlation of 18F-FMT and VEGF was more meaningful. The present study demonstrated that the metabolic activity of primary tumors as evaluated by PET study with 18F-FMT and 18F-FDG is related to tumor angiogenesis and the proliferative activity in NSCLC. (Cancer Sci 2009; 100: 753,758) [source]


Immunohistochemical analysis for histopathological subtypes in pediatric medulloblastomas

PATHOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 2 2003
Eun-Ik Son
Medulloblastomas occurring in children represent a histological spectrum of varying anaplasia and nodularity. In order to determine whether immunohistochemical markers might be useful parameters in subclassifying these tumors, 17 pediatric medulloblastomas, including nine diffuse/non-anaplastic, four diffuse/anaplastic, three nodular/non-anaplastic and one nodular/anaplastic subtypes, were studied. In the present report, we investigate the expression of neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR), neurofilament (NF), synaptophysin (SYN), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), S100, Bcl-2, and Ki-67 by using the immunohistochemistry against specific antibodies. This study showed that NGFR, NF, GFAP and S100 were not detected in anaplastic subtypes of medulloblastomas (0/5), while non-anaplastic subtypes were mainly expressed within the nodules. All 17 tumors were reactive for NCAM, SYN and Bcl-2. In addition, Ki-67 labeling indices for anaplastic subtypes (39.0 ± 7.42%) were significantly higher than that of non-anaplastic medulloblastomas (11.4 ± 8.04%; P < 0.0001). These results suggest that immunohistochemical markers are a useful adjunct in characterizing subtypes of pediatric medulloblastomas. [source]


Quantitative immunohistochemical evaluation of MIB-1 labeling index in adult soft-tissue sarcomas by computer-assisted image analysis

PATHOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 7 2002
Tadashi Hasegawa
We have found that the MIB-1 grade, based on tumor differentiation/histological type, necrosis and Ki-67 (MIB-1) score, is a valid and reproducible prognostic system for adult soft-tissue sarcomas. However, there are limited data available on Ki-67 labeling indices (LI) from adult soft-tissue sarcomas for testing the validity of quantitative image analysis . In this study, the records of 146 adult patients with soft-tissue sarcomas of the extremities and trunk were retrieved, and MIB-1 immunostaining was carried out for the grading. The counted MIB-1 LI values and the scores estimated from microscopic observation were defined as the gold standard. The correlation between MIB-1 LI as assessed by computer-assisted image analysis and by microscopic observation was determined. The image analysis -based MIB-1 LI was highly correlated with the microscopic observation-based MIB-1 LI (r = 0.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.82,0.92). In addition, agreement between the MIB-1 scores was very high (kappa statistic = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.75,0.91), as was the percentage agreement (89%, 95% CI = 82.8,93.6%) between the results from image analysis and microscopic observation. We conclude that quantitative immunohistochemical evaluation of MIB-1 LI by image analysis enables pathologists to improve interobserver agreement in the assessment of MIB-1 score, and can help to objectively assign the correct histological grade to cases of adult soft-tissue sarcoma, resulting in optimal clinical management. [source]