PROGNOSTIC-SIGNIFICANCE OF CD44 EXPRESSION IN ADENOCARCINOMA OF THE LUNG

Aims-To determine whether expression of CD44 in neoplasia is associate d with tumour grade, stage and prognosis. Methods-The immunohistochemi cal expression of CD44 was evaluated using the mouse antihuman monoclo nal antibody 3G12 which recognises regions shared by all CD44 isoforms to determine whether expression in formalin fixed, paraffin wax embed ded tissue correlates with tumour grade, stage or survival in adenocar cinoma of the lung. Thirty one adenocarcinomas of the lung, 16 T2NO an d 15 TZN1, and their nodal metastases were studied. Results-Of the 31 tumours, 25 were positive for the CD44 antigen. CD44 expression correl ated with tumour grade, in that intense staining was seen only in mode rately and/or poorly differentiated tumours. CD44 did not correlate wi th nodal status, tumour size, pleural invasion, angiolymphatic invasio n, or host inflammatory response, but did correlate with survival. A m edian survival of 46 months was observed in patients with moderate to strong CD44 expression compared with 24 months for those with no or we ak expression. Nine patients were alive without evidence of disease at a median follow up of 61 months. Six (66%) of these nine patients had strong CD44 expression. This contrasts with strong expression in only three (17%) of the 17 patients dying with a median survival of 28 mon ths. Conclusion-In primary adenocarcinoma of the lung loss of CD44 exp ression is associated with less favorable outcome and may indicate a m ore aggressive neoplasm. CD44 may be a useful prognostic marker in lun g carcinoma.