Fascin Expression in Astrocytic Neoplasms

Abstract

Fascin is a 55-kd actin binding protein. It is found in cell membranes and promoting cellular motility. Fascin has been linked to the malignant biological behavior of some tumors. We investigated immunuhistochemically fascin expression in astrocytomas and gliosis cases. Immunohistochemical study was performed in 28 astrocytic tumors and 6 gliosis. Fascin positivity of tumor cells and glial cells was graded as follows: Staining: 0% to 4%, (-), 5% to 25%, (1+), 26% to 50%, (2+), 51% to 75%, (3+), more than 75%, (4+). Seventeen of 28 cases showed positive fascin staining (60.7%). Two of 7 (28.5%) pilocytic astrocytoma (WHO grade I) cases, 4 of 6 (66.6%) diffuse astrocytoma (WHO grade II) cases and 4 of 8 (50%) anaplastic astrocytoma (WHO grade III) cases showed positive fascin staining. All of glioblastoma cases (7 cases) (100%) was positive. All of gliosis cases (6 cases) (100%) was positive. In tumor group, 14 tumors showed 4 (+) positive staining and 3 tumors had 3 (+) staining. In comparison, 6 of 13 pilocytic and diffuse astrocytoma (WHO grade I and II) cases had fascin positivity (46.1%), 11 of 15 anaplastic astrocytoma and glioblastoma (WHO grade III and IV) cases had fascin positivity (73.3%). Higher grade astrocytomas generally expressed a greater degree of fascin staining. Fascin expression may play a role in malignant biological behavior of astrocytic neoplasms.