CD44V6 in gastric carcinoma: a marker of tumor progression.

CD44 is a group of cell surface molecules involved in cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. CD44 spliced variants (CD44V) have been found to enhance the metastatic potential of rat tumors. Tumors from the breast, colon, and thyroid express many alternatively spliced products; nonneoplastic tissues do not. Some authors suggest that CD44V5 and V6 may play a role in gastric carcinoma. The aim of the current study was to investigate the role of CD44V6 as a prognostic marker and predictor of metastatic potential in gastric carcinomas. One hundred fifty-five cases of gastric adenocarcinomas were studied: 36 cases of early (EGC), 19 cases of intermediate (MGC), and 100 cases of advanced gastric adenocarcinomas (AGC). A monoclonal antibody against CD44V6 (R&D) was used. CD44V6 expression was positively correlated with advanced stage (P = 0.05). Strong positivity was only detected in those cases of AGC with metastases. Patients with CD44V6 positive tumors revealed a lower 3- and 5-year survival rate (P = 0.0002). Immunohistochemical detection of CD44V6 could now be used as an indicator of tumor progression in biopsies of patients with gastric carcinoma.