Immunohistochemical demonstration of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in glioblastomas : pronounced heterogeneity and lack of prognostic significance

In order to evaluate a possible significance of the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) as clinically useful prognostic parameter, we retrospectively investigated a series of 40 glioblastomas by means of immunohistochemistry and compared the results to patient survival. All glioblastomas included in the study had been treated by operation, radiotherapy and intraarterial ACNU [3-(4-amino-2-methyl-5-pyrimidinylmethyl)-1-(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitr osourea] chemotherapy. Patient survival ranged from 2 months to 42 months (mean: 14.2 months). PCNA values varied widely, ranging from 0.5% to 75% (mean: 24.9%). Statistical analysis revealed no significant correlation between PCNA index and patient survival. Our study thus indicates that the expression of PCNA appears not to be a useful prognostic parameter for glioblastoma patients.