Immunohistochemical detection of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

AIM: To investigate the expression levels o� proli�erating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and its correlation with the mitotic count, histological grade, and metastasis o� human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: PCNA expression was detected immunohistochemically with PC10 monoclonal antibody �or 80 cases o� HCC. The PCNA labeling index (LI) was assessed by counting the positively-stained nuclei per 500 cells. RESULTS: PCNA LI ranged �rom 1.8% to 91.4% (mean = 33.9%) in cancerous tissues, and was significantly related to the tumor size, histological grade, mitotic count and the metastases �ound in HCC samples. CONCLUSION: HCC Proliferation activity, as defined by PCNA immu-nohistochemical analysis, is strongly correlated with tumor invasive-ness. These findings hold potential prognostic value for HCC patients.