Abstract

BACKGROUND
CD44 is a polymorphic family of transmembrane glycoproteins generated by alternative splicing of messenger RNA and is involved in the mechanism of tumor invasion and metastasis.
METHODS
The expression of selected CD44 molecules (CD44s, CD44v5, and CD44v6) was determined immunohistochemically in 84 cases of non small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLCs). The results were compared with PCNA index, microvessel density (MVD), and clinicopathological parameters including patient? survival.
RESULTS
CD44s showed a positive reaction in 61.9% (52/84) of NSCLCs, CD44v5 in 73.8% (62/84), and CD44v6 in 39.3% (33/84). Squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) displayed preferential expression of all CD44 molecules in comparison with adenocarcinomas (ACs) (p<0.001). As a whole, the expression of CD44 molecules was not correlated with clinical parameters (stage, TNM-T, and TNM-N), PCNA index, or MVD. For ACs only, however, CD44v5 expression was negatively correlated with PCNA index (p<0.05). Poor survival was correlated with CD44v5 expression in ACs and CD44v6 in SCCs (both, p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that CD44 molecule in NSCLC could be a distinctive phenotypic marker for SCC, and the possibility that CD44v5 and CD44v6 are in some way instrumental in conditioning the biologic behavior of NSCLC according to major histologic types.

• Keywords: Non Small Cell Lung Carcinoma;Antigens, CD44-Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen;Antigens, CD34;Survival