Expression of a CD44 variant containing exons 8 to 10 is a useful independent factor for the prediction of prognosis in colorectal cancer patients.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the expression of the CD44 variant containing a variant exon 8 to 10 product (CD44v8-10) in colorectal cancer and to evaluate its prognostic value.


METHODS
CD44v8-10 was studied in resected tumors and normal mucosae obtained from 215 colorectal cancer patients (118 colon cancer and 97 rectal cancer). The expression of CD44v8-10 was analyzed immunohistochemically using the anti-CD44v8-10 monoclonal antibody (mAb) 44-1V.


RESULTS
One hundred of 215 cancer tissues expressed CD44v8-10. Positive staining was intense mainly on the cell membranes. There was no significant correlation between expression of CD44v8-10 and histologic type, primary tumor, lymphatic invasion, venous invasion, or peritoneal invasion. There were significant correlations between CD44v8-10 immunoreactivity and both lymph node and hematogenous metastasis. Patients with CD44v8-10-positive tumors had a greater relative risk of death compared with those whose tumors were CD44v8-10-negative. Among 169 patients who underwent curative resection, CD44v8-10 expression correlated with a high recurrence rate. The 5- and 10-year survival rates were 90.3% of patients with CD44v8-10-negative tumors, and 72.1% and 58.0% of those with CD44v8-10-positive tumors, respectively; these differences between the two groups of patients were significant (P < .01). In multivariate analysis using the Cox regression model, CD44v8-10 expression emerged as an independent prognostic indicator.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that CD44v8-10 plays a role in metastasis of colorectal cancer, and tha CD44v8-10 expression may be a biologic marker of prognostic significance.
Yamaguchi
A
A
First Department of Surgery, Fukui Medical School, Fukui, Japan.
Urano
T
T
Goi
T
T
Saito
M
M
Takeuchi
K
K
Hirose
K
K
Nakagawara
G
G
Shiku
H
H
Furukawa
K
K
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D005091:Exons / Q000276:immunology*; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D016019:Survival Analysis
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors