Role of survivin in glioma progression: a clinico-pathological study

ABSTRACT

Gliomas are among the most aggressive of all human malignancies. Glioblastoma multitbrme is the most malignant histopathological subtype. Survivin is one of the inhibitors of apoptosis. It is over-expressed in many human cancers. We performed clinical and pathological study aimed to clarify its role in glioma progression. Gliomas are among the most aggressive of all human malignancies. Glioblastoma multiforme is the most malignant histo-pathological subtype. Survivin is one of the inhibitors of apoptosis. It is over-expressed in many human cancers. We performed clinical and pathological study aimed to clarify its role in glioma progression. This study included 34 glioma patients. Clinical evaluation including age, sex, clinical presentation and location of the tumor, was done. Sections from glioma specimens were stained with H and E, classified and graded according to WHO classification, [2000] and then immunostained to detect Survivin protein expression. The study included 34 glioma cases. Survivin was expressed to a variable extent in most groups of gliomas [in 21/24, 1/4, 1/1 and 5/5 cases of astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, mixed oligoastrocytoma and ependymomas respectively]. Survivin expression showed gradual up-regulation with increasing grade of astrocytomas from pilocytic astrocytomas [66.7%] [right arrow] diffuse astrocytomas [77.8%] [right arrow] anaplastic astrocytomas [100%] [right arrow] glioblastoma multiforme [100%]. This study showed that there is a strong correlation between the distribution and staining intensity of Survivin protein expression and the tumor grade [P< value< 0.01 and < 0.00 respectively]. Also there is a strong correlation hetueen Survivin protein expression as evidenced by immunoreactivity score [IRS] and tumor grade and proliferative activity [P value< 0.00 and <0.002 respectively]. Survivin plays an important role in the initiation of gliomas and their progression towards higher grades