CD44s and CD44v6 Are Predominantly Expressed in the Non-germinal Center B-Cell-like Type of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphomas

Abstract

Background: CD44 protein is known as a homing cellular adhesion molecule that is linked to di-verse cellular functions such as adhesion, migration and invasion, which are all important in can-cer progression and metastasis. The expression of CD44 standard and variant isoforms (CD44 standard isoform [CD44s] and CD44 splice variants containing exon v6 [CD44v6], respectively) is associated with an unfavorable clinical outcome in various neoplasms. Methods: Forty patients who were diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) through biopsy at Hanyang University Hospital between 1996 and 2003 were included in this study. CD44 proteins expres¬sion was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining on a tissue microarray and the correlation of CD44 with the types of DLBCL and clinical parameters, including the factors defined by the Inter-national Prognostic Index, was evaluated. Results: A high CD44s and intermediate to strong CD44v6 expression, including cytoplasmic membranous staining patterns, was present in 35% (14/40) and 25% (10/40) of DLBCL patients, respectively. High CD44s expression was correlated significantly with non-germinal center B-cell-like types (non-GCB, p=0.004) and patients with old age (p=0.041). Conclusions: High CD44s expression may be significantly associated with the non-GCB type compared to the GCB type and may be essential to the prediction of disease out¬come in tumor stage III in DLBCL patients.