Evaluation of the prognostic value of CD44 in glioblastoma multiforme.
OBJECTIVE
Glioblastoma and astrocytoma are the most common brain tumors affecting adults 45-60 years of age. The poor prognosis for glioblastoma patients results from recurrence after treatment. There is therefore an urgent need to develop diagnostic and prognostic markers as well as new therapies.


METHODS
Microarray analyses of clinical specimens from glioblastoma patients were used to identify potential tumor markers. Expression of candidate genes was analyzed by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
Five potential markers (CD44 antigen (CD44), growth arrest and DNA-damage-inducible, alpha (GADD45A), fibronectin 1 (FN1), CD63 antigen (CD63) and secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1)) showed expression patterns that correlated significantly with malignant glioma. In particular, expression of the CD44 antigen was elevated in more severe tumor types, and higher in tumor cores than in peripheral regions. However, lower levels of CD44 expression surprisingly correlated with lower survival.


CONCLUSIONS
The CD44 antigen is a promising candidate for further development as a prognostic and therapeutic tool.
Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, No. 5, Fu Shin Street, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan, R.O.C. kuochenwei@adm.cgmh.org.tw
Kuo-Chen
KC
Wei
Chiung-Yin
CY
Huang
Pin-Yuan
PY
Chen
Li-Ying
LY
Feng
Tai-Wei Erich
TW
Wu
Shu-Mei
SM
Chen
Hong-Chieh
HC
Tsai
Yu-Jen
YJ
Lu
Ngan-Ming
NM
Tsang
Chen-Kan
CK
Tseng
Ping-Ching
PC
Pai
Jyh-Wei
JW
Shin
D000328:Adult; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D011379:Prognosis
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C497483:CD44 protein, human; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors