Clinicopathologic significance of expression of CD44s and CD44v6 isoforms in squamous cell carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx.

CD44 splice variants are assumed to have a critical role in the malignant progression of many human tumors. However, the clinical significance of CD44 expression is not yet understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic significance of expression of CD44s and CD44v6 isoforms in squamous cell carcinomas of the supraglottic larynx. CD44s and CD44v6 expression was determined by immunohistochemical analysis of paraffin-embedded tissue specimens from 101 patients. There was a significant correlation between decreased CD44s or CD44v6 expression and a poorer histologic differentiation. No relationship was observed with T stage or nodal metastasis. Decreased CD44s expression, but not CD44v6 expression, correlated with increased recurrence rates. There was no correlation between the decreased expression of any isoform tested and survival. These data confirm a reduction of CD44s and CD44v6 expression in poorly differentiated tumors. However, these changes do not offer a useful adjunct to current prognostic indicators.