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CD44 variant isoform expression and breast cancer prognosis
Y Tokue1, Y Matsumura, N Katsumata
1Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo.
Japanese Journal of Cancer Research : Gann
|May 26, 1998
Summary
CD44v2 isoform expression in breast cancer tissues correlates with shorter survival. While CD44v6 expression showed weak links, CD44v2 may offer greater clinical value for prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- CD44 isoforms are implicated in cancer progression.
- Specific isoforms like CD44v2 and CD44v6 may influence breast cancer outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of CD44v2 and CD44v6 isoforms in breast cancer tissues.
- To correlate isoform expression with patient survival and clinicopathological features.
Main Methods:
- Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for mRNA analysis.
- Immunohistochemistry (IHC) using specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for peptide analysis.
- Statistical correlation with survival data and clinicopathological parameters.
Main Results:
- CD44v2 mRNA was found in 35% and CD44v6 mRNA in 73% of specimens.
- CD44v2 mRNA expression was linked to significantly shorter survival (P=0.05).
- CD44v2 peptide expression by IHC correlated with overall survival (P=0.02) and higher tumor grade, but not independently due to progesterone receptor correlation.
- CD44v6 expression showed weak or no correlation with survival or clinicopathological features.
Conclusions:
- CD44v2 isoform expression, at both mRNA and peptide levels, is associated with poorer survival in breast cancer patients.
- CD44v6 isoform expression does not appear to be a significant prognostic factor.
- CD44v2 may hold potential clinical value for predicting breast cancer prognosis, though further validation is needed.