PCNA and Ki67 expression in breast carcinoma: correlations with clinical and biological variables

• Published in: Journal of clinical pathology Vol. 45; no. 5; pp. 416 - 419
• Main Authors: Leonardi, E, Girlando, S, Serio, G, Mauri, F A, Perrone, G, Scampini, S, Dalla Palma, P, Barbareschi, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists 01.05.1992; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Antigens, Neoplasm - analysis; Biological and medical sciences; Breast Neoplasms - chemistry; Breast Neoplasms - immunology; Breast Neoplasms - pathology; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Ki-67 Antigen; Lymphatic Metastasis; Mammary gland diseases; Medical sciences; Mitotic Index; Nuclear Proteins - analysis; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; Receptors, Estrogen - analysis; Receptors, Progesterone - analysis; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 - analysis; Human; Mammary gland diseases; Exploration; Tumor; Mammary gland; Gene expression
• ISSN: 0021-9746; 1472-4146
• DOI: 10.1136/jcp.45.5.416

AIMS: To investigate the expression of two cell cycle related antigens (proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki67 related antigen) in a series of breast cancers; and the possible correlations between the PCNA and Ki67 labelling indexes (PCNA-LI and Ki67-LI) and their associations with other biological and clinicopathological variables. METHODS: Ninety six ductal and 10 lobular carcinoma specimens were investigated. Samples were fixed in formalin and in Methacarnoy for localisation of PCNA. Ki67 was immunostained on frozen sections. The PCNA-LI and Ki67-LI were evaluated in relation to tumour size, mitotic count, histological grade, nodal state as well as receptor content and altered expression of the p53 gene. RESULTS: PCNA-LI did not correlate with Ki67-LI, nor was it associated with any other variable examined. A high KI67-LI (above the median value of 13.5) was associated with high grade and mitotic count, negative receptor content, and altered expression of the p53 gene, but not with other variables. CONCLUSIONS: The PCNA-LI does not seem to be a substitute for the Ki67-LI in evaluating the growth fraction in breast cancer.