Adhesion molecule CD44 expression in non-tumor epithelium adjacent to laryngeal cancer.
BACKGROUND
Studies of adjacent non-tumor epithelia (ANTE) of laryngeal cancer have presented contradictory results regarding the expression of the adhesion molecule CD44 and its role as an early event and risk marker for progression to cancer.


METHODS
An immunohistochemical study was performed on changes in CD44 expression in the ANTE and tumor tissue of 112 cases of laryngeal cancer, using the anti-CD44 monoclonal antibody DF1485. The aim was to evaluate the importance of these changes as an early event in laryngeal carcinogenesis.


RESULTS
The ANTE were histologically hyperplastic in 107 cases (95.5%) and presented epithelial dysplasia in 105 cases (93.7%). A significant association between tumor and epithelial CD44 expression was observed in both hyperplastic (p < 0.001) and dysplastic (p < 0.001) ANTE. There was no significant association between ANTE CD44 expression and clinical or histopathological relevant data.


CONCLUSIONS
Loss of CD44 expression in ANTE can be considered an early event in laryngeal carcinogenesis and a marker of major alterations in CD44 expression in the derived tumor tissue.
González-Moles
Miguel Angel
MA
Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of Granada, Spain. magonzal@ugr.es
Esteban
Francisco
F
Bravo-Pérez
Jose Javier
JJ
Bravo-Perez
Manuel
M
Ruiz-Avila
Isabel
I
Gil-Montoya
José Antonio
JA
González-Moles
Salvador
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism; D015536:Down-Regulation; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D007820:Laryngeal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C497483:CD44 protein, human; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins