Detection of transforming growth factor alpha and tumor proliferating cell nuclear antigen in human astrocytoma tissue

Aim: To study the expression of transforming growth factor α(TGF-α) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA) in human astrocytoma tissue.Methods:The expression of TGF-α and PCNA protein among 50 surgical specimens of human astrocytoma and 10 cases of normal brain tissue was detected using immunohistochemical staining method.All patients were followed up.Results: The total positive rates of TGF-α protein was 60.0%(30/50), and the total PCNA-LI was 67.86%±28.68% in 50 surgical specimens of human astrocytoma. The expression of TGF-α and PCNA-LI increased with the increase of pathological grade (P0.05).There was positive correlation between TGF-α and PCNA-LI ( r=0.864,P0.01). The expression of TGF-α and PCNA protein was related to the patients' prognosis (P0.01).Conclusion: There are overexpressions of TGF-α and PCNA protein in human astrocytoma tissue. Combined examination of TGF-α and PCNA protein has significance in evaluating the biological behavior of human astrocytoma.