title: [CD44 (HCAM) expression in subserous gallbladder carcinoma].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  HCAM or CD44 is a multifunctional cell adhesion molecule, related to cell-cell, cell-extracellular matrix interactions and involved in tumor invasion.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study the importance of CD44 expression in subserous gallbladder carcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred five samples (93 female) of subserous gallbladder carcinoma and 33 non tumoral gallbladder were studied. CD44 was stained using the streptavidine-biotin technique, using human anti CD44 antibodies. Eighty subjects with carcinoma were followed for a period up to 105 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean age of patients was 62.6 years old, all tumors were adenocarcinoma, all were silent and 13% were well differentiated. CD44 was expressed in all controls and in 91%, the expression was normal. In 57% of cancer samples, CD44 expression was abnormal, in 50% it was less expressed and in 24%, it was not expressed. No differences in CD44 expression was observed between mucosa from control samples and mucosa adjacent to the tumor or superficial or deep tumoral areas. Global five years survival was 40%. No significant differences in survival were observed in those tumors with a lower of absent CD44 expression. Six patients with a higher expression died before 18 months of follow up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nearly 50% of subserous gallbladder carcinomas show an abnormal CD44 expression.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Anatomía Patológica y Citopatología Hospital Temuco, Departamento de Cirugía, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la Frontera, Temuco, Chile.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Roa
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Villaseca
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Araya
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Roa
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: de Aretxabala
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ibacache
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: García
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005706:Gallbladder Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012704:Serous Membrane; D016019:Survival Analysis
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors