Comparison of the Expression of Variants of CD44 between Node-positive and Node-negative Breast Carcinomas

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to determine the value of CD44 and its splice variants as markers for the metastatic potential of infiltrating ductal carcinomas of the breast. METHODS: Tissue samples of infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the breast were examined for the expression of standard CD44 (CD44H) and s CD44 isoforms, v3, v4-5 and v6 in 41 node-positive and 31 node-negative cases. The immunohistochemistry results were correlated with other clinicopathologic parameters, and these results were correlated with accompanying high grade and non-high grade DCIS areas of the tumors in both node-positive and node-negative cases. RESULTS: The expression of CD44 in the invasive tumor areas and in the metastatic foci of the lymph nodes showed a statistically significant correlation. The expression of CD44H in the invasive tumor areas and the DCIS area showed a statistically significant correlation in the lymph node (-) group. There was statistical significance between the CD44 H and CD44v3 expressions and the histologic grade of the invasive tumor in the cases with positive lymph nodes. There was no statistical significance between CD44 expression and lymph node metastasis, tumor size and type of tumor margin. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that changes in the CD44 expression in breast cancer occur early in breast carcinogenesis, and this is involved in tumor differentiation, but we could not establish any correlation between the expression of the CD44 variant isoforms and the metastasis of breast cancer.

Expression of E-cadherin and CD44H in Borrmann Type IV Gastric Cancer

PURPOSE: E-cadherin and CD44H have been shown to play a role in the progression and the metastasis of tumors. This study evaluated the clinical correlations between expression of E-cadherin and CD44H and various clinicopathologic factors and the value of expressions of E-cadherin and CD44H as prognostic factors in Borrmann type IV gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 122 patients with Borrmann type IV gastric cancer, we performed the immunohistochemical stainings for E-cadherin and CD44H. We analyzed the correlation between the expressions of E-cadherin and CD44H and lymphatic invasion, venous invasion, perineural invasion, histologic type, lymph node metastasis, depth of invasion, stage, and peritoneal dissemination, and survival. RESULTS: There were no correlations between reduced expression of E-cadherin and CD44H and lymphatic invasion, venous invasion, perineural invasion, histologic type, lymph node metastasis, depth of invasion, and stage. However, there was a significant correlation between lymph node metastasis and the lymphatic invasion (P=0.022). There was also a significant correlation between the peritoneal dissemination and CD44H expression (P=0.005). The 5-year survival rate was correlated with CD44H expression (P=0.026), peritoneal dissemination (P<0.01), depth of invasion (P<0.01), lymph node metastasis (P<0.01), stage of tumor (P<0.01), and lymphatic invasion (P<0.01). There was no correlation between expression of E-cadherin and survival rate. CONCLUSION: The expression of CD44H and peritoneal dissemination was correlated. The expression of CD44H was an independent prognostic factor in Borrmann type IV gastric cancer. Further prospective studies with a large number of cases are required.

Expression of CD44, MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in tongue squmous cell carcinoma

Expression of Cell Adhesion Molecules -CD44H and CD44v6- in Colorectal Carcinoma

During tumor progression, a subset of cells acquires metastatic properties, presumably through a series of genetic alterations. As the result, cells detach from the primary tumor, penetrate the basement membrane and invade the adjacent structures including lymph and blood vessels. Loss of adhesive functions and gain of new adhesive functions are thought to play a crucial role in this metastatic cascade. Since tumor metastasis is the principle cause of death for cancer patients including colon cancer, there is a consensus that a search for tools that allow effective assessment of the metastatic potential of tumors is a prime goal for cancer research. An immunohistochemical study of cell adhesion molecules, CD44H and its variant CD44v6, was done to evaluate their relationship with known prognostic factors related to the progression and metastasis of colorectal carcinoma in 94 cases of colorectal carcinoma tissues. The results were as follows. The CD44H expression was detected in 90 (95.7%) and CD44v6 in 53 (56.4%) out of 94 cases of colorectal carcinoma, and the CD44H was overexpressed in tumor tissue more than in normal mucosa in 62% of the cases. The expression rates of both protein were not significantly correlated with age and sex of the patients, invasion depth, lymph node metastasis, tumor differentiation, and tumor site. The coexpression of CD44H and CD44v6 in tumor was significant (p<0.05). The above results suggest that overexpression of CD44H and loss of function to control the alternative splicing of CD44 mRNA resulting in CD44v6 expression and alteration of adhesive function are closely associated with tumorigenesis of the colorectum.

The Expression of CD44H and CD44v6 in Gastric Adenocarcinoma

CD44, also known as the Hermes antigen, H-CAM, pgp-1 antigen, and extracellular matrix receptor ECM-III, is a widely distributed integral membrane protein that exists in a variety of forms with different molecular sizes ranging from 85kd to 160kd. A number of evidence implicates CD44 as a cell adhesion molecule with a possible role in tumor progression. To evaluate the possible roles of CD44 in the metastatic process of gastric carcinoma to the regional lymph nodes, we applicated immunohistochemical stains with the CD44H and CD44v6 primary antibodies onto the 2 groups of gastric adenocarcinomas. Each group was comprised of 22 primary tumors extending to the subserosa, and one group showed nodal metastasis, while the other group did not. Seventeen primary tumors (77%) out of the 22 cases with the nodal metastasis demonstrated positivity to the CD44v6, while only 9 primary tumors (41%) out of the 22 cases without nodal metastasis did. However CD44H immunoreactivity was demonstrated in tumor cells of all cases (100%) of both groups as well as in the normal cell components. These results suggest that CD44H form is not related to the metastasis to the regional lymph nodes of gastric carcinoma. However, the expression of CD44v6 seems to play a certain role in the metastatic process of the gastric carcinoma.