Utility of proliferation markers Ki-67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in the evaluation of uterine papillary serous carcinomas

We examined proliferation markers Ki-67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) to determine whether immunohistochemical staining results could predict outcome in 22 uterine papillary serous carcinomas (UPSC). Eighteen tumors (82%) had increased proliferation as demonstrated by Ki-67 immunostaining with 50% of these patients dying of disease. Twenty tumors (91%) showed high PCNA immunoreactivity; 60% of these patients died of disease. Most UPSC exhibit high immunoreactivity to Ki-67 and/or PCNA, which showed no correlation with outcome or stage. These results may reflect the aggressive clinical behavior of UPSC. We conclude that Ki-67 and PCNA immunohistochemistry have limited use as prognostic indicators in UPSC.