[CD44 splice variants as prognostic factors in invasive cervix carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
Aberrant expression of specific isoforms of the cell adhesion molecule CD44 has been detected in various malignant human tumors. We wanted to verify whether the expression of these splice variants was associated with a higher incidence of metastasis and poor prognosis.


METHODS
We studied the expression of CD44 splice variants v5, v6 and v7-8 by immunohistochemistry in human cervical cancer. 105 surgically treated patients with cervical cancer of stages IB-IIB were included in the study.


RESULTS
Tumors expressing exon v6 had significantly more often metastasized to the pelvic nodes (p = 0.04), and patients suffering from tumors expressing CD44v6 showed poorer overall survival. Even in cases with negative pelvic lymph nodes, we found a significantly poorer prognosis when tumors expressed CD44v6.


CONCLUSIONS
Among the investigated CD44 splice variants, expression of exons v6 and v7-8 is the most promising prognostic marker in cervical cancer. They can possibly identify patients with an increased risk earlier than morphologic prognostic parameters.
Reinthaller
A
A
Abteilung für Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe, Universitätsklinik für Frauenheilkunde, Wein, Osterreich.
Kainz
C
C
Kohlberger
P
P
Tempfer
C
C
Gitsch
G
G
Kölbl
H
H
Breitenecker
G
G
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000502:physiology; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000235:genetics*; D016201:Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing / Q000235:genetics*; D015996:Survival Rate; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D016201:Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing