Immunohistochemical detection of progesterone receptors and the correlation with Ki-67 labeling indices in paraffin-embedded sections of meningiomas

Int J Neurosci. 2002 Apr;112(4):463-70. doi: 10.1080/00207450290025581.

Abstract

Female sex steroids may play a role in the proliferation of meningiomas, which usually have a high level of progesterone receptors (PgRs). We aimed to investigate the presence of PgRs and the Ki-67 labeling index (Ki-67 LI) in meningioma cases (N = 110) in relation to the severity of the disease. We studied PgR immunoreactivities and the Ki-67 LI in paraffin-embedded sections from meningiomas. Immunodetection of PgRs was conducted with peroxidase-antiperoxidase complex. Immunodetection of Ki-67 antigen was achieved by streptavidin-biotinperoxidase complex. Of 110 meningiomas, in 57 (52%) the immunostaining for PgRs was moderately to strongly positive (Group 1), in 23 (20%) weakly positive (Group 2), and in 30 (28%) negative (Group 3). The positive immunostaining rate for the PgR in the benign meningiomas (76%) was significantly higher than that in nonbenign tumors. The positive immunostaining rate for the PgR was significantly higher in women (81%) than men (55%). The results suggested that progesterone may play a role in the growth of meningiomas. Our results confirmed that the immunodetection of the PgR and Ki-67 antigens on the paraffin sections of meningiomas provides a valuable tool for estimating the biological behavior of meningiomas.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis*
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Ki-67 Antigen / analysis*
  • Male
  • Meningeal Neoplasms / chemistry*
  • Meningioma / chemistry*
  • Middle Aged
  • Paraffin Embedding
  • Receptors, Progesterone / analysis*
  • Sex Factors

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Ki-67 Antigen
  • Receptors, Progesterone