C. Poncelet et al., Expression of CD44 standard and isoforms V3 and V6 in uterine smooth muscle tumors: A possible diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma, HUMAN PATH, 32(11), 2001, pp. 1190-1196
Citations number
29
Categorie Soggetti
Research/Laboratory Medicine & Medical Tecnology","Medical Research Diagnosis & Treatment
Alterations of CD44 proteins, a family of cell adhesion molecule, have been
linked with tumorigenesis, carcinogenesis, and prognosis in various neopla
sms. Our aims were to evaluate and compare CD44 isoforms expression pattern
s in normal myometrium, uterine leiomyomas, and leiomyosarcomas and to corr
elate CD44 expression with clinicopathologic parameters. Fresh (n = 15) and
formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (n = 76) tissues samples of myometrium,
leiomyomas, and leiomyosarcomas were used for immunoblotting and immunohist
ochemistry, respectively. Semiquantitative evaluation was made after immuno
staining. Monoclonal antibodies were used. By immunoblotting in myometrium.
and leiomyomas samples, we observed a band at 85 kd, corresponding to the
apparent molecular weight of CD44s, and bands at 140 kd with the monoclonal
antibodies against CD44v3 and CD44v6. In leiomyosarcomas, CD44s and CD44v6
were detected, but not CD44v3. By immunohistochemistry, decreased CD44s ex
pression was found in leiomyomas and leiomyosarcomas (73.9% +/- 16.6% and 8
2.1% +/- 20.7%, respectively) compared with myometrium (97.3% +/- 6.2%; P <
.0001). No CD44v6 staining was detected in myometrium, leiomyomas, and leio
myosarcomas. No CD44v3 expression was detected in leiomyosarcomas, whereas
myometrium and leiomyomas expressed CD44v3. For the diagnosis of leiomyosar
coma, the absence of CD44v3 staining had a sensitivity, specificity, and po
sitive and negative predictive values of 100%. In patients with recurrence
of leiomyosarcomas, CD44s expression was decreased (P =.03). We conclude th
at CD44s immunostaining in leiomyosarcomas may have prognostic significance
. The loss of CD44v3 expression could be used as a putative diagnostic toot
for uterine leiomyosarcomas. Hum PATHOL 32:1190-1196. Copyright (C) 2001 b
y W.B. Saunders Company.