The value of cell cycle analysis by propidium-iodine staining of CD56+ cells in pediatric brain tumors

Abstract Purpose Cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry has not been adequately studied in pediatric brain tumors. We investigated the value of cell cycle analysis by propidium-iodine (PI) staining of CD56+ (gated) cells for the characterization of pediatric brain tumor's malignancy. Methods Patients that underwent surgery for an intracranial lesion and tissue sample was available were included in the study. All tumor samples were histopathologically verified before flow cytometric analysis. Results There were 46 pediatric brain tumor cases. As control we used samples from three cases of brain tissue obtained during surgery for epilepsy. All tumors had significant lower G 0 /G 1 and significant higher S-phase, G 2 /M fraction, S+G 2 /M and S+G 2 /M/G 0 /G 1 -phase fraction than normal brain tissue. Low-grade tumors had significant lower S-phase than high grade tumors. Grade IV tumors had significant lower G 0 /G 1 fraction and higher S+G 2 /M/G 0 /G 1 index than grade III tumors. DNA diploidy was detected in 24 tumors and DNA aneuploidy was detected in 23 tumors. There was a significant correlation between Ki-67 index and both S+G 2 /M and S+G 2 /M/G 0 /G 1 phase fraction. Conclusions Cell cycle analysis by PI staining of CD56+ cells is a promising method for the assessment of pediatric brain tumors malignancy and could be a valuable adjunct to histopathological evaluation.