%0 Journal Article
%T Evaluation of the proliferation markers Ki-67/MIB-1, mitosin, survivin, pHH3, and DNA topoisomerase II¦Á in human anaplastic astrocytomas - an immunohistochemical study
%A Andreas H Habberstad
%A Sasha Gulati
%A Sverre H Torp
%J Diagnostic Pathology
%D 2011
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1746-1596-6-43
%X Proliferative activity was determined in twenty-seven cases with antibodies reactive against the Ki-67 antigen, mitosin, survivin, pHH3, and DNA topoisomerase II¦Á, and they were mutually compared as well as related to mitotic activity.The markers correlated well with each other, but poorly with mitoses, probably because of small and squeezed tumour samples, in which identification of mitoses can be difficult. Positive association to overall survival was observed as well.Our data show that these markers may assist significantly in the evaluation of proliferative activity in anaplastic astrocytomas and even have prognostic value.The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/2653263345404531 webcite.Diffuse astrocytomas are the most common primary malignant brain tumours in humans. They are characterized by widespread distribution throughout CNS, diffuse and infiltrative growth pattern, and inherent trend to undergo malignant transformation. In general the prognosis is poor despite progress in tumour imaging and treatment.Histopathologic diagnosis is essential for optimal prognostication and treatment. According to World Health Organization (WHO), diffuse astrocytomas can be divided into diffuse astrocytoma grade II, anaplastic astrocytoma grade III, and glioblastoma grade IV [1]. Distinction between different tumour grades can be challenging, and limited tumour material is often provided to the pathologist. The number of mitoses is of paramount importance, but can be hard to identify in haematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained sections [2].Since proliferative activity is a reliable method to assess tumour biology, there has been continuous research to find such biological markers. Commonly used is the monoclonal antibody Ki-67/MIB-1 which has proven prognostic and diagnostic power in astrocytic tumours [3,4]. Nevertheless, the application of this antibody is hampered by lack of standardization of the immunohistochem
%U http://www.diagnosticpathology.org/content/6/1/43