[Biparametric analysis of the apoptotic index and the proliferation index (KI-67) in solid tumors]. / Analisi biparametrica di indice apoptotico e indice di proliferazione (KI-67) nei tumori solidi.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Cell kinetic data are important indicators of the aggressiveness of tumor and treatment response. In this study biparametric analysis of proliferation and apoptotic index was performed on paraffin-embedded tissue from certain neoplasia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 107 cases of neoplastic and non neoplastic lesions. For each case, on the same section, TUNEL reaction and immunohistochemical protein Ki67 expression analysis were performed. RESULTS: On 102 out of 107 cases (95.3%) we obtained valid results both about apoptotic and proliferative indices. CONCLUSIONS: This method could supply, at the same time, interesting information about the two possible different patterns of neoplastic growth one related to an increase fraction of proliferating cells, the other to decrease in apoptotic cell death. Cell kinetic data may have interesting implications on therapeutic choice.