CD44 Expression in Meningioma and its Correlation with Proliferation Indices

Area of Science:

• Neuro-oncology
• Tumor Biology
• Immunohistochemistry

Background:

• CD44, a cell adhesion molecule, is implicated in tumor invasion and metastasis.
• CD44 expression is observed in various tumors, including meningiomas.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate immunohistochemical expression of CD44 in different grades and variants of meningioma.
• To correlate CD44 expression with Ki-67 proliferation index and clinicopathologic variables.

Main Methods:

• Studied 40 meningioma cases using immunohistochemistry for CD44 and Ki-67.
• Correlated marker expression with clinicopathologic variables.
• Statistical significance set at p < 0.05.

Main Results:

• Marked CD44 expression in high-grade (II and III) meningiomas (81.8%) versus grade I (18.2%) (p<0.001).
• Ki-67 proliferation correlated significantly with meningioma grade (p<0.001) and brain invasiveness (p=0.033).
• Positive correlation between CD44 and Ki-67 (p=0.01); no significant correlation with age, sex, or recurrence.

Conclusions:

• CD44 is a marker of meningioma aggressiveness, highly expressed in grades II and III.
• CD44 expression positively correlates with higher Ki-67 proliferation indices.
• Investigate CD44-targeted therapy for atypical and anaplastic meningiomas.