IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL AND SOLUBLE EXPRESSION OF CD44 IN PRIMARY AND METASTATIC HUMAN PROSTATE CANCERS

Immunohistochemical expression of standard and v6 isoforms of CD44 was performed on specimens from three groups of prostate cancer patients: Group I, primary prostate cancers (N=31); Group II? lymph node metast ases (N=18); and Group III, bone metastases (N=15). In addition, serum from all Group I patients was analyzed for soluble CD44 expression. B enign glands exhibited strong CD44s and CD44v6 expression in basal cel ls. Weak basolateral staining was identified in superficial luminal ce lls. Malignant glands and metastatic tumors revealed diminished or abs ent expression of both CD44s and CD44vG with a heterogeneous pattern. Pretreatment with chondroitinase did not significantly alter CD44 expr ession. Soluble CD44 was present in all serum samples, however, expres sion was variable. There was no statistically significant correlation between immunohistochemical CD44 expression, soluble CD44 expression, and clinical progression.