1997 Volume 36 Issue 2 Pages 146-150
PCNA has been recognized as one of the markers of cell proliferation activity. Its technology is simple, but determining a positive PCNA reaction depends upon personal subjec tive opinions. We examined the process of determining a positive PCNA reaction by imege cytometry for objective evaluation. Smears were obtained from 14 cases of sqamous cell carcinoma and 30 cases of adenocarcinoma that were detected by PCNA. The nuclei were measured for transparent luminosity by imege cytometry. The borderline of a positive PCNA reaction was set at a luminosity of (Maximum-Minimum) ×0.25+Minimum.
Results. The degree of the positive reaction was stronger for adenocarcinomas than for sqamous cell carcinomas. Furthermore, in the cases with cells piled on top of each other, measure could not be done. Accordingly, we considered ments making a monolayer smear to be necessary for PCNA to be used for imege cytometry.
