Adhesion molecule CD44 as a prognostic factor in tongue cancer.

Background: Loss of expression of CD44 has been shown to be a factor of poor prognosis in some types of tumors. The purpose of this study was to analyze this in relation to the survival of patients with tongue cancer.

Materials And Methods: The expression of adhesion molecule CD44 was studied in 56 patients with tongue cancer. Data were gathered on clinical (T, N, M and stage) and pathological (T, N, stage, extracapsular spread, differentiation, tumor thickness, surgical margin and CD44 expression) parameters. Immunohistochemistry studies were carried out using DF1485 anti-CD44 monoclonal antibody.

Results: In five tumors (8.9%) < 25%, in 11 (19.6%) 25%-49%, in 15 (26.8%) 50%-74% and in 25 (44.6%) > or = 75% of the neoplastic cells expressed CD44. A Cox proportional risks multivariate analysis identified CD44 expression as the parameter most associated with survival (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The reduced expression of CD44 behaves as a marker of poor tongue tumor prognosis.