Correlation of p63 protein expression and Ki-67 labelling index with histological grades of meningiomas: A five years study

Introduction: Meningiomas account for 13%–25% of primary intracranial tumours and ~25% of intraspinal tumors and histological grading has prognostic and therapeutic implications. However, histological criteria are sometimes not fulfilled to predict the biological behaviour of meningiomas, necessitating use of adjunct ancillary techniques like immunohistochemical markers. The aim of the study was to assess the correlation between the p63 protein expression with MIB-1 labelling index in different histological grades. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective and prospective study of patients with intracranial and intraspinal meningiomas diagnosed during the period 2009-2014. The H& E Stained histological sections of the entire meningioma tumour were graded according to WHO 2007 criteria. Immunohistochemistry was performed using p63 protein and Ki-67. Result: The age of the patients ranged from 4-75 years including seven children. Out of 135 cases, 46 (34.07) cases occurred in males and the remaining 89(65.92%) cases were females. There were 125 grade I, 06 grade II, 04 grade III meningiomas. Amongst Grade I tumours (n =125) 16% (n=20) exhibited nuclear positivity for p63 protein. Among Grade II (n= 06) and Grade III (n= 04), all showed strong immune expression for p63. Statistical significant increase in mean labelling index (MIB1) was noted between Grade I to II and Grade II to III. Conclusion: Increased p63 expression and Ki-67 labelling index is associated more with high grade Meningioma and possible recurrence.