Expressing of urokinase-type plasminogen activator in human glioma and correlated follow-up study

Objective: To evaluate the expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator （uPA ） in human glioma, and to estimate its prognostic role. Methods: The expressing of uPA in 102 human astrocytoma were detected by immunohistochemistry, and was compared with the pathological characteristics as well as the follow-up data in these patients. Results: High levels of uPA were seen in malignant glioma, whereas low levels of uPA or no expression were found in low-grade gliomas. There is a significant correlation between the uPA level and the peritumoral edema which was revealed by the radiographic analysis. Patients with high uPA level had a statistically significant poor prognosis than those with low uPA level. Conclusions: The level of uPA was correlated with the malignant phenotype of human glioma and can be a independent prognostic indicator.