title: Differences in CD44s expression in HNSCC tumours of different areas within the oral cavity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is evidence of differences in p63 expression in HNSCC (head and neck squamous cell carcinoma) tumours of different sub-sites within the oral cavity which appear to have an important role in CD44 regulation. The aim of this study was to investigate CD44 expression in HNSCC tumours in different areas of the oral cavity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded oral squamous cell carcinoma specimens from 29 patients were investigated. Expression of CD44s was detected by immunohistochemistry with specific CD44 antibodies and analysed using the H-score. The samples were classified by anatomic location (tongue; floor of the mouth; gingiva and other group included hard palate, tonsils, naso- and oropharynx) and histological tumour grade (G1 and G2-G3). Fischer's exact test with a Bonferroni correction was used for the statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Positive immunostaining for CD44s in carcinomas of the tongue was significantly lower (0%) than that of the floor of the mouth (85%; P=0.003) or other group (100%; P=0.003). No statistically significant differences in CD44s expression were found for different histological tumour grades.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate that CD44 expression is strongly reduced in tongue tumours compared with other sub-sites within the oral cavity. This should be taken into consideration in assessing the prognostic value of CD44s in this tumour group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Molecular Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krump
authors.forename: Jiri
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ehrmann
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck
chemical_list: C497483:CD44 protein, human; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors