Relation of expressions of cell-cycle inhibitory proteins P16 and P27 to PCNA in pituitary adenomas

Objective To explore the relationship in protein expression between both P16 and P27 and proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in pituitary adenomas. Methods The expressions of the proteins were examined by immunohistochemical S-P methods in 43 invasive pituitary adenomas and 37 non-invasive adenomas. The correlation of the abnormal expression of proteins P16, P27 and PCNA was analyzed. Results The expressions of proteins P16 and P27 in invasive pituitary adenoma group were significantly lower than those in non-invasive adenoma group. There was no significant difference in expression of protein P16 between the relapse group and non-relapse group. The expression of protein P27 in the relapse group were significantly higher than that in the non-relapse group. Correlation analysis showed that there was definite relationship among the expressions of P16, P27 and PCNA in pituitary adenomas. Conclusion The abnormal protein expressions of P16 and P27 was related to invasion of the proliferation cell nuclear antigen in pituitary adenomas, which can be taken as indicators to evaluate the tumor invasive potential and prognosis.