Korean J Pathol.  1996 Feb;30(2):132-139.

Correlation between Nuclear Grades and the Numbers of AgNORs and PCNA Labeling Indices in Renal Cell Carcinoma

• Lee HJ
• Han YI
• Suh KS
• Lee SK

Abstract

The author examined the number of AgNORs and PCNA labeling indices by histochemical and immunohistochemical studies in 20 cases of renal cell carcinoma, composed of 5 cases according to the nuclear grades. The results obtained are summarized as follows; 1) Mean number of AgNORs according to the nuclear grades of renal cell carcinoma were 1.38+/-0.40 (mean+/-standard deviation) for Grade I, 2.53+/-0.33 for Grade II, 5.43+/-0.66 for Grade III, and 7.88+/-0.72 for Grade IV. The mean numbers of AgNORs according to the nuclear grades were significantly increased(p=0.0005). 2) PCNA labeling indices (positive nuclear ratio) according to the nuclear grades of renal cell carcinoma were 5.90+/-2.36 for Grade I, 19.30+/-6.71 for Grade II, 45.73+/-8.62 for Grade III, and 61.83+/-6.34 for Grade IV. Also, the PCNA labeling indices according to the nuclear grades were significantly increased(p=0.0008). 3) The mean numbers of AgNORs directly correlated with the PCNA labeling indices (r=0.9861, p<0.001). On the basis of the above results, it was considered that the numbers of AgNORs and PCNA labeling indices as markers of proliferative activity of tumor cells correlate well with the nuclear grades of renal cell carcinoma.

Keyword

Nuclear grade; AgNORs; PCNA; Renal cell carcinoma