EXPRESSION OF SPLICE VARIANTS OF CD44 MESSENGER-RNA AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE IN HUMAN PRIMARY HEPATOCELLULAR-CARCINOMA

Objective To investigate the relationship between the expression of sp lice variants of CD44 (CD44v) and the metastasis of primary hepatocell ular carcinoma (PHCC) in humans. Methods The expression of metastasis- associated CD44v mRNA in 54 specimens of human PHCC was detected by re verse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. Res ults CD44v mRNA was expressed in 50 (92.59%) of the 54 specimens of PH CC, with moderate or over expression in 42 (77.78%). Among the 42 spec imens with moderate or over expression, deficient tumor capsules were found in 25 (59.52%), penetration of tumor capsule in 15 (35.71%), tum or emboli in the portal vein in 34 (80.95%), and daughter tumor nodule s in 29 (69.05%). Meanwhile, 12 of the 54 specimens showed negative or weak expression of CD44v mRNA. Of them, all had tumor capsules, 1 (8. 33%) had penetrated tumor capsule, 1 (8.33%) had tumor emboli in the p ortal vein, and 2 (16.67%) had daughter tumor nodules. Conclusion CD44 v may contribute to the metastatic potential of PHCC.