title: Combined CD133/CD44 expression as a prognostic indicator of disease-free survival in patients with colorectal cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Because of some inconsistencies in the traditional model of human colorectal carcinogenesis, the cancer stem cell (CSC) model was recently proposed, in which tumor results from neoplastic transformation of stem cells, which become CSCs. Identification of CSCs by expression of surface antigens remains a critical issue because no biomarker has been shown to be completely reliable. CD133 and CD44 are commonly used as CSC markers, and correlation of their expression with colorectal cancer (CRC) clinicopathological features and outcomes may be useful.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pilot study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-six consecutive patients with CRC. CD133 and CD44 expression (alone or combined) was determined in nontumor cells and in tumor cells by flow cytometry, which identified viable cells only.
  
  
  METHODS
  Correlation of CD133 and CD44 expression with each other, with other prognostic indicators, and with disease-free survival.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CD133 and CD44 expression was significantly higher in tumor cells than in nontumor cells, and expression of one did not necessarily correlate with expression of the other. CD133 or CD44 expression alone was variable, while combined CD133/CD44 expression identified a small subset of cells positive for CRC. CD133 or CD44 overexpression was not associated with CRC recurrence; only high frequencies of CD133(+)/CD44(+) cells were a strong indicator of worse disease-free survival and an independent risk factor for CRC recurrence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Evaluation of combined CD133/CD44 expression could be useful to identify putative colorectal CSCs and tumors with a poor prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and Surgery F. Magrassi-A. Lanzara, Second University of Naples School of Medicine, c/o II Policlinico, Edificio 17, 5 Via Pansini, 80131 Naples, Italy. gennaro.galizia@unina2.it
authors.forename: Gennaro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Galizia
authors.forename: Marica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gemei
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Del Vecchio
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zamboli
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Di Noto
authors.forename: Peppino
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mirabelli
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Salvatore
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Castellano
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Orditura
authors.forename: Ferdinando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Vita
authors.forename: Margherita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pignatelli
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lieto
mesh_terms: D000071916:AC133 Antigen; D000368:Aged; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010455:Peptides; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D000071916:AC133 Antigen; D015703:Antigens, CD; D006023:Glycoproteins; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors; C000606023:PROM1 protein, human; D010455:Peptides