Soluble isoforms of various adhesion molecules have recently been obse
rved in the blood circulation, but the physiological effects of such m
olecules remain unsettled. Our earlier results indicate that soluble C
D44 can be detected in sera of healthy individuals and that significan
tly higher levels of serum CD44 (s-CD44) can be found in lymphoma pati
ents. The serum level of the standard form of CD44 parallels the clini
cal treatment response in patients with lymphoma. In the present study
, we have investigated the clinical significance of s-CD44 in non-Hodg
kin's lymphoma measured at the time of the diagnosis. S-CD44 was measu
red from the sera of 123 patients with non Hodgkin's lymphoma by dot b
lotting High levels of s-CD44 were associated with high serum levels o
f lactate dehydrogenase and thymidine kinase, high histological grade
of malignancy and poor overall survival. However, s-CD44 level did not
have independent prognostic value in a multivariate analysis. In conc
lusion, a high s-CD44 level at the time of diagnosis was associated wi
th poor survival and several other adverse prognostic factors. Our pre
vious and present studies taken together suggest that measurement of s
-CD44 is a valuable tool to monitor treatment response in lymphoma pat
ients. However, it may not be an improved prognostic marker. (C) 1998
Wiley-Liss, Inc.