June 7, 2010
Health Sciences Campus, Kochi
Dr. Chirag S. Parmar, Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology, won the second-best paper award for his oral presentation at the recently-concluded International Pathology Conference at Goa.
Dr. Chirag’s paper was titled — Prognostic Significance of Ki-67 Proliferation Index in Low-Grade Astrocytomas.
Low-grade astrocytomas are slow-growing brain tumors that rarely spread to other parts of the central nervous system. Men and women, aged 20-50 are most susceptible to these tumors.
Histological grading of these tumors, through microscopic and other study of diseased tissue, has proved to be a valuable prognostic tool.
“We investigated the prognostic utility of quantitative Ki-67 proliferation index in a retrospective study of 120 patients who were diagnosed with low-grade astrocytomas (WHO grade I and II),” stated Dr. Chirag.
“These patients were treated at Amrita from 2004 to 2007.”
A cancer antigen found in growing and dividing cells, Ki67 is a good cellular marker for proliferation. The Ki67 molecule can be studied in order to gain an understanding of the rate at which cells within a tumor are growing.
The study examined the role of Ki-67 proliferation index in relation to the outcome of the disease. Samples were procured either by stereotactic biopsy or excision.
“The clinical, radiological, and pathological findings were correlated and all specimens were studied with immune-histochemistry including Ki-67 labeling index,” explained Dr. Chirag.
Patients were then followed up with, to look for evidence of progression, recurrence, or death.
“From the study, we could conclude that there is significant correlation of proliferative activity of low-grade astrocytomas with progression/recurrence of the disease and grade of tumor,” informed Dr. Chirag.
“Our study confirmed that Ki67 proliferation index indicates the biological behavior of low-grade astrocytomas, and can help identify subsets with potentially more aggressive clinical behavior.”
“Our recommendation is to use the Ki67 index judiciously and in combination with other variables such as imaging, clinical status and established histopathological features of anaplasia.”
Dr. Chirag joined Amrita four years ago. He has several national and international journal papers to his credit and has won awards for case-presentation and poster-presentation at state level conferences. He has also participated and won accolades in inter-collegiate drama competitions.
We congratulate him on this latest achievement and wish him the very best.
