Comparison of 4 proliferation markers and their significance for evaluation of tumor dignity in intracranial tumors.

The proliferation indices of immunohistochemically detected bromodeoxyuridine, Ki-67 antigen (antibodies Ki-67 and MIB 1), and proliferating cell nuclear antigen were determined manually and with computer assisted morphometry in 38 gliomas, 29 meningeomas, 9 metastases, and 16 other tumors. Comparing the markers among one another the highest correlation coefficient was found for bromodeoxyuridine and MIB 1 (0.9). The proliferation indices of all markers correlated significantly with the tumor grading. The highest correlation coefficient for proliferation index and grading (0.7) was calculated for the MIB 1 index determined in one high power field (0.0153 mm(2)) in the tissue area with the highest proliferative activity. Concerning applicability and correlation with tumor dignity MIB 1 was superior to the other three antibodies investigated.