Proliferative potential of brain tumors. Analyses with Ki‐67 and anti‐dna polymerase alpha monoclonal antibodies, bromodeoxyuridine labeling, and nucleolar organizer region counts

Abstract

Histochemical analyses with Ki‐67 and anti‐DNA polymerase alpha monoclonal antibodies were done, and argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (Ag‐NOR) were counted to estimate the proliferative potential of 200 brain tumors. The findings were compared with the bromodeoxyuridine labeling index (BrdU LI), or S‐phase fraction. The proliferating cell indexes (PCI), determined by Ki‐67 and anti‐DNA polymerase alpha monoclonal antibodies were higher and Ag‐NOR more numerous in medulloblastomas, glioblastomas, and metastatic carcinomas than in astrocytomas or meningiomas. The Ki‐67 and DNA polymerase alpha PCI correlated with the BrdU LI (r = 0.87 and r = 0.84, respectively) and with each other (r = 0.94). The number of Ag‐NOR correlated less strongly with these indexes in some tumors. These findings suggest that Ki‐67 and anti‐DNA polymerase alpha monoclonal antibodies may be useful for estimating the proliferative potential of individual tumors in routine clinical practice. The number of Ag‐NOR, however, does not always reflect the growth potential of each tumor. Cancer 1993; 71:199‐206. Copyright © 1993 American Cancer Society