The Correlation between MDM2 Protein and Histologic Grading of Cerebral Astrocytomas

Background:
Abstract
MDM2 is a protein factor that plays an improtant role in inhibition of P53 and P73 related apoptosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between MDM2 expression and histologic grading of cerebral astrocytomas in order to reduce misdiagnosis of this tumor in controversial cases.

Methods:
In this study, 104 cases of astrocytic tumors including 4 different grades were selected randomly. We prepared 4µm sections of paraffin blocks of tumors. Then the slides were stained by anti MDM2 antibody.

Findings:
The intensity of nuclear staining for MDM2 marker had a statistically significant correlation with histologic grading. There was no significant correlation between percentage of nuclear staining for MDM2 and histologic grading. The positivity of MDM2 marker, as well as the multiplication of intensity and percentage of nuclear staining in S.Score had a significant correlation with histologic grading. The S.Score correlation with grading of astrocytic tumors was analysed by ROC Cure analysis method and showed that at the cut off point of 6, this score can be indicative for differentiation of Glioblastom multiform from other grades with specificity of 95.3%.

Conclusion:
Our results confirm the role of the MDM2 protein as a oncogenic factor in progression of astrosytic tumors.Evaluation the MDM2 experession in astrocytic cerebral tumors can be specifically indicative for distinction of glioblastom multiform from other grades of astrocytic tumors.

Key words:
Cerebral asrocytic tumors, MDM2 protein factor, histologic grading