The expression of survivin and Ki-67 in meningiomas: correlation with grade and clinical outcome.

Identification of proteins involving in the control of proliferation in normal cells may lead to a better understanding of cellular transformation and proliferation mechanisms. Measurement of proliferative activity may help determine the tumor grade, recurrence and malignancy. Forty meningiomas of various histological grade, diagnosed in Baskent University and Cukurova University Medical Faculty, Departments of Pathology, were graded according to WHO grading system and survivin and Ki-67 monoclonal antibodies were administered by immunohistochemical method. Findings were analyzed with statistical methods; distribution of survivin expression and Ki-67 LI values were determined for different grade meningiomas. The correlation between increasing grades of meningiomas, particularly between grades I and III, survivin and Ki-67 LI values was statistically significant. In addition, we have found a positive correlation between clinical outcome, survivin and Ki-67 LI. For over expression of survivin in some of the grade I meningiomas and no or mild expression in some of the grades II and III meningiomas, however, it has been suggested that apoptosis inhibited by survivin is not the only factor responsible for progression of meningiomas.