Abstract: Objective To explo re putative roles of transactivator of transcricption interactive prote in 30(TIP30)in the initiation and progression of a strocytoma.Methods The expression of TIP30,proliferating cell nuclear an tigen labeling index(PCNA L I),microv ascular density(MVD),apoptosis index(AI)in 69 cases of astrocy tomas and 8 cases of normal braintissue were comparatively studied with immunohistochemical staining method and termindal deoxynuc leotidyl transfernase mediated nick end labeling(TUNEL).Results The expression of TIP30 in astrocy toma was lower than that of normal brain tissue and was negatively related to the histo logical grade of tumor(χ²=16 31,P<0.01).MVD and PCN ALI with positive expression of TIP30 in astrocy toma were significantly lower than that with negative expression(P<0.01,P<0.01).AI with positive expression of TIP30 in astrocy toma was significantly higher than that with negative expression(P<0.01).Conclusion The decrease in expression of TIP 30 may play an important role in the in itiation and prog ression of astrocy tom a by promotingang iogenesis,tumor cell hype rplasia and decreasing apoptosis.