Expression of CD44 variant exons 8-10 in gastric cancer.

The expression of CD44 variant containing variant exons 8-10 product (CD44v8-10) was studied by western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry in gastric cancers using a monoclonal antibody, 44-1V. On western blots, a single band of 130 kD was recognized in stomach cancer cell lines. CD44v8-10 expression, with reactivity localized in the cell membrane, was found in 65 (33.5%) of the 194 advanced gastric cancers. There was no correlation between CD44v8-10 immunoreactivity and serosal, lymphatic, or lymph node invasion. However, there was significant correlation with CD44v8-10 immunoreactivity and venous invasion. CD44v8-10-positive cancers were more frequently associated with hematogenous metastasis than those which were immunonegative. There was an inverse association between CD44v8-10 immunoreactivity and peritoneal dissemination, especially in diffuse type adenocarcinomas. These observations indicate that CD44v8-10 may play a role in the metastasis of gastric cancer.