Expression of CD44, E-cadherin, and antimetastatic protein nm23-H1 in complete hydatidiform moles.
BACKGROUND
There is scant information about the expression of CD44 and E-cadherin, two cell adhesion molecules, and the antimetastatic protein nm23-H1, in complete hydatidiform moles. We measured the expression of these markers to determine their usefulness in predicting the development of invasive disease.


METHODS
We performed a retrospective study of 27 patients with complete hydatidiform moles, collecting clinical information including the patient's age, pre-evacuation hCG level, pathology, hCG monitoring, and the development of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. Immunohistochemical staining for CD44, E-cadherin, and nm23-H1 was performed. CD44 expression was classified as positive or negative. For E-cadherin and nm23-H1, the intensity of expression was graded on a 0 to 3 scale. Chi-square or Fisher's exact testing was used to evaluate the relationship between these markers and the development of invasive disease.


RESULTS
CD44 was expressed in 26% of cases. E-cadherin expression was 1+, 2+, and 3+in 8%, 33%, and 59% of cases, respectively. Nm23-H1 expression was 1+, 2+, and 3+in 4%, 11%, and 85% of cases. The risk of developing invasive disease did not correlate with the expression of CD44, E-cadherin, or nm23-H1.


CONCLUSIONS
In this preliminary study, there is no relationship between CD44, E-cadherin, and nm23-H1 expression in complete hydatidiform moles and the risk of invasive disease. Other molecular markers predictive of invasive disease should be sought to limit hCG surveillance to those at risk.
Reynolds
E A
EA
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA.
DuBeshter
B
B
Katzman
P
P
Larson
K
K
Katzel
S
S
Glantz
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015820:Cadherins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006828:Hydatidiform Mole / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D054778:NM23 Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinases; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009701:Nucleoside-Diphosphate Kinase / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C497483:CD44 protein, human; D015820:Cadherins; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors; D054778:NM23 Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinases; C517938:NME1 protein, human; D009701:Nucleoside-Diphosphate Kinase