Prognostic Values of CD44v6 in Surgically Treated Cervical Cancer

Bang, N C; Lee, S K; Lee, S W; Chang, M K; Kim, S B

Abstract

Objective
Aberrant expression of the cell adhesion molecule CD44 has been detected in human tumors and the expression of specific CD44 isoforms [splice variants ] has been shown to be associated with metastasis and poor prognosis in human malignancies. Our purpose was to evaluate CD44v6 as prognostic factor. Method We used exon sequence-specific murine monoclonal antibodies to epitopes encoded by exon v6 of human variant CD44 to study the expression of CD44 splice variant by immunohistochemistry in human cervical cancer. Fifty nine patients with surgically treated carcinomas of the cervix stage IB to IIB were included in the study. Result CD44 splice variant CD44v6 was detected in 71.2% [42/59]. Tumors expressing exonv6 had significantly more often involved in lymphovascular space [56.7 vs 82.8%, p = 0.03]. The larger tumors, the higher expression rate of exon v6 [59.4 vs 85.2%, p = 0.03]. Patients suffering from tumors expressing splice variant CD44v6 showed poorer overall survival [p = 0.04]. In case with negative pelvic lymph nodes, we found a poorer prognosis when tumors expressed CD44v6, but statistically not significant [p = 0.10]. Conclusion CD44v6 expression is a poor prognostic factor of cervical cancer stage IB to IIB and can be a indicator of adjuvant treatment in surgically treated uterine cervical cancer patient without pelvic lymph node.