Value of MIB-1 labelling index (LI) in gliomas and its correlation with other prognostic factors. A clinicopathologic study.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, the monoclonal antibody MIB-1 has become the main factor to measure the proliferative potential of glial tumors. This antibody is equivalent to Ki-67, which is used in frozen sections, and reacts with a nuclear protein that is expressed through the cell cycle. We have investigated the value of MIB-1 Labelling Index (LI) as an independent prognostic factor in gliomas and its relationship with clinical and pathological parameters.

METHODS

MIB-1 LI was determined in 139 gliomas by using the Streptavidin-Biotin Complex (SBC) immunohistochemical method. MIB-1 LI immunoreactivity was measured with an automatic cell counting system. Survival was studied by using the Kaplan-Meier bivariant analysis and Cox multivariant regression.

RESULTS

In bivariant analysis MIB-1 LI increased with age, histological grade and a supratentorial lateral location. Only size and tumor grade were significant in Cox regression.

CONCLUSIONS

Perhaps this proliferation marker is influenced by many factors which reduce its value as an isolated prognostic parameter.