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Updated: Jun 22, 2026
11:28
Isolation and Characterization of a Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Subpopulation Having Stem Cell Characteristics
Published on: May 11, 2016
CD44 variant isoforms in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma progression
Steven J Wang1, Gabriel Wong, Anne-Martine de Heer
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California-San Francisco, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, USA. swang@ohns.ucsf.edu
The Laryngoscope
|June 10, 2009
Summary
CD44 variant isoforms drive head and neck cancer progression and cisplatin resistance. Increased expression of CD44 v3, v6, and v10 in metastatic sites suggests their role in metastasis and poor prognosis for HNSCC patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- The CD44 receptor family has multiple variant isoforms implicated in cancer malignancy.
- Several CD44 variant isoforms are linked to tumor cell migration, invasion, and metastasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the role of CD44 variant isoforms (v3, v6, v10) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) progression.
- Analyze the association of CD44 variant expression with clinicopathologic variables and patient survival.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed CD44 standard (CD44s) and variant (v3, v6, v10) isoform expression in HNSCC cell line (HSC-3) and patient tissues.
- Assessed the impact of CD44 isoforms on cell migration, proliferation, and cisplatin resistance.
- Performed immunohistochemical analysis on 82 primary HNSCC tumors and 24 metastatic lymph nodes.
Main Results:
- CD44 isoforms (v3, v6, v10) were found to mediate migration, proliferation, and cisplatin sensitivity in HSC-3 cells.
- Metastatic lymph nodes showed higher expression of CD44 v3, v6, and v10 compared to primary tumors.
- CD44 variant isoform expression correlated with advanced T stage, metastasis, perineural invasion, radiation failure, and shorter disease-free survival.
Conclusions:
- CD44 variant isoforms play a role in HNSCC progression, influencing migration, proliferation, and treatment response.
- Specific CD44 variants (v3, v6, v10) are potential biomarkers for HNSCC progression and metastasis.
- Targeting CD44 variant isoforms may offer a therapeutic strategy for HNSCC.
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