The study of CD44_s mRNA and CD44v6 mRNA expressions in human gastric carcinoma and their clinical significance

Objective To investigate the levels of CD44s mRNA and CD44v6 mRNA and their clinicopathological significance in patients with gastric carcinoma. Methods Using nested RT PCR, CD44s mRNA and CD44v6 mRNA expression levels were studied in 58 gastric carcinomas and 16 adjacent non carcinomatous gastric mucos. Results There was no difference of CD44s mRNA expression between gastric carcinoma and non carcinomatous gastric mucosa ( P 0.05) and there was no significant difference between the expression level of CD44s mRNA and clinicopathological parameters ( P 0.05). CD44v6 mRNA expression in gastric cancer was higher than that of non tumorous gastric mucosa ( P 0.05). and it was related to Borrnamm type ( P 0.05), vessel invasion ( P 0.01), serosa invasion ( P 0.01) and lymph node metastasis ( P 0.01). Conclusion The expression of CD44s mRNA shows no relation with the progression of the gastric carcinoma, while the expression of CD44v6 mRNA is correlated with the progression and metastasis of gastric cancer.