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Updated: Aug 21, 2026
In vitro Enrichment of Ovarian Cancer Tumor-initiating Cells
Published on: February 18, 2015
[Clinical significance of CD44 expression in ovarian epithelial tumors]
Objective:
To study the clinical significance of the adhesion molecule CD44 expression in ovarian epithelial tumors and its relation to the clinical manifestation of ovarian cancer.
Methods:
The expression of CD44 protein and mRNA was examined by immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR, nested PCR and densitometric scanning. The correlation between CD44 expression and clinicopathological features was analyzed.
Results:
In comparison with benign ovarian tumors, CD44H protein expression was significantly higher in ovarian cancer in terms of positive rate as well as the level of expression. The levels of mRNA expression in ovarian cancer positively correlated with the grade and stage. The CD44H mRNA expression level in primary tumor correlated with that in the metastatic lesions. High levels of expression of CD44H mRNA predicted poor survival probability. The expression rate of CD44V3, CD44V4/5 and CD44V6 protein was 21.2%, 19.2% and 15.4% respectively in ovarian cancer as compared to 3.1%, 12.5% and 0 in benign tumors. There was significant difference between the two groups in CD44V6.
Conclusion:
Epithelial carcinoma of ovary expresses high level of CD44H. The amount of CD44H mRNA expression increased with progression of ovarian cancer. It can serve as a predictor of prognosis. It may play an important role in the peritoneal dissemination of ovarian cancer. Expression of CD44V6 is characteristic of malignant ovarian epithelial tumor.
