CD44s expression, in benign, borderline and malignant tumors of ovarian surface epithelium. Correlation with p53, steroid receptor status, proliferative indices (PCNA, MIB1) and survival.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of CD44s in the biological behavior of surface epithelial ovarian tumors and its correlation with clinicopathological parameters, prognosis, p53, steroid receptor status and proliferative indices (PCNA, MIB1).


METHODS
We analyzed a total of 83 patients with ovarian surface epithelial tumors, for the immunohistochemical expression of CD44s and the possible correlation with clinicopathological factors and patients' outcome.


RESULTS
A statistically significant correlation was found between the expression of CD44s, which was higher in cancer cases than in benign cystadenomas (p<0.0001) and, between cancer cases, which was lower in borderline tumors, (p=0.05). No statistical correlation was found between CD44s expression and the examined markers. In overall survival analysis we did not detect a statistically significant correlation with the expression of CD44s.


CONCLUSIONS
The current study demonstrates that CD44s may be functionally involved in the pathogenesis of epithelial ovarian lesions.
Department of Pathology, Medical School, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece.
N
N
Zagorianakou
D
D
Stefanou
G
G
Makrydimas
P
P
Zagorianakou
E
E
Briasoulis
B
B
Karavasilis
N J
NJ
Agnantis
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015996:Survival Rate; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000096:biosynthesis*
C473647:CD44S antigen; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53