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Are CD44 variant isoforms involved in human tumour progression?
U Günthert1, R Stauder, B Mayer
1Basel Institute for Immunology, Switzerland.
Cancer Surveys
|January 1, 1995
Summary
CD44 variant isoforms are linked to cancer progression and prognosis in various human tumors. Immunohistochemistry for CD44 isoforms may aid in diagnosing invasive processes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- CD44 is a transmembrane glycoprotein with multiple isoforms produced by alternative splicing.
- Specific CD44 variant isoforms, such as those containing exon 6v, are implicated in metastasis formation.
- CD44 isoform expression patterns vary across different cancer types and stages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and summarize data on CD44 variant isoform expression in human tumor progression.
- To evaluate the prognostic significance of CD44 variant isoforms in various cancers.
- To assess the potential diagnostic utility of CD44 isoform expression in identifying invasive processes.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing data on CD44 variant isoform expression in human tumors.
- Immunohistochemical analysis of CD44 isoform expression in non-Hodgkin lymphomas, gastric, colon, and renal cell carcinomas, and neuroblastomas.
- Correlation of CD44 isoform expression with clinical outcomes, tumor stage, and genetic mutations (e.g., ras, TP53, N-myc).
Main Results:
- Expression of CD44 isoforms containing exon 6v is an independent adverse prognostic factor in non-Hodgkin lymphomas.
- Upregulation of CD44 isoforms containing exon 9v correlates with poor prognosis in gastric and renal cell carcinomas.
- In colorectal carcinomas, CD44-9v isoforms are found in early adenomas, and CD44-6v isoforms are upregulated in late adenomas with specific mutations.
- CD44s downregulation inversely correlates with tumor progression and N-myc amplification in neuroblastomas.
- No correlation between CD44 expression and survival was found in breast carcinoma.
Conclusions:
- CD44 variant isoform expression serves as a prognostic marker in several human cancers, including lymphomas and carcinomas.
- The presence and type of CD44 variant isoforms correlate with tumor progression and patient outcomes.
- Immunohistochemistry for CD44 isoforms shows potential as a diagnostic tool for invasive cancer processes.