Measurement of labeling index of DNA polymerase alpha in human brain tumors. Comparative study with labeling indices of BUdR in vitro and Ki-67.

Proliferative activity of 28 human brain tumors was estimated by simultaneous measurement of DNA polymerase α, Ki-67 and bromodeoxyuridine (BUdR) labeling indices on microscopic tissue preparations stained immunologically with monoclonal antibodies using a peroxidase technique. All the antigens were exclusively found in the nucleus. The labeling index of BUdR was lower than those of the other indicators. The values of the DNA polymerase α labeling index were almost the same as those of the Ki-67 labeling index. Simultaneous measurement of these parameters may provide more useful information on tumor cell growth kinetics than that of a single parameter