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 event in relation to the survival of patients with laryngeal cancer.
Patients and methods: The expression of adhesion molecule CD44 was studied in 137 patients with laryngeal cancer. Data were gathered on clinical (primary tumor location, pyriform sinus involvement and tongue base damage) and pathologic (T, N, differentiation, inflammatory response, tumor thickness, surgical margin involvement, and CD44 expression) parameters. Immunohistochemical studies were carried out using DF1485 anti-CD44 monoclonal antibody.
Results: In 29 tumors (21.1%) < 25%, in 18 (13.1%) 25%-49%, in 42 (30.6%) 50%-74%, and in 48 (35.0%) > or = 75% of the neoplastic cells expressed CD44. A Cox proportional risks multivariate analysis identified CD44 expression and surgical margin involvement as the parameters most associated with survival (p<0.001).
Conclusion: The reduced expression of CD44 behaves as a marker of a poor laryngeal cancer prognosis.