Prognostic significance of the mitotic index using the mitosis marker anti-phosphohistone H3 in meningiomas

Am J Clin Pathol. 2007 Jul;128(1):118-25. doi: 10.1309/HXUNAG34B3CEFDU8.

Abstract

Mitotic activity is one of the most reliable prognostic factors in meningiomas. The identification of mitotic figures (MFs) and the areas of highest mitotic activity in H&E-stained slides is a tedious and subjective task. Therefore, we compared the results from immunostaining for the mitosis-specific antibody anti-phosphohistone H3 (PHH3 mitotic index [MI]) with standard MF counts (H&E MI) and the Ki-67 labeling index (LI). The relationship between these proliferation indices and prognosis was investigated in a retrospective series of 265 meningiomas. The PHH3 staining method yielded greater sensitivity in the detection of MFs and facilitated MF counting. Mitotic thresholds of H&E MI of 4 or more per 10 high-power fields (HPF) and PHH3 MI of 6 or more per 10 HPF were found as the most appropriate prognostic cutoff values for the prediction of recurrence-free survival. All 3 proliferation indices were univariately associated with recurrences and deaths. In contrast with the Ki-67 LI, H&E MI and PHH3 MI also remained as independent predictors in the multivariate Cox hazards modeling (P = .0007 and P = .0004, respectively).

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Biomarkers
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Histones / analysis*
  • Histones / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Ki-67 Antigen / analysis
  • Male
  • Meningeal Neoplasms / mortality
  • Meningeal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Meningioma / mortality
  • Meningioma / pathology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Mitotic Index
  • Phosphorylation
  • Prognosis
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Histones
  • Ki-67 Antigen