[Preliminary study on the correlation between expression of CD44 in human non-small cell lung cancer and lymph node metastasis.].

BACKGROUND: To investigate the correlation between expression of CD44 in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and lymph node metastasis. METHODS: SP immunohistological staining and immunohistochemical quantitative analysis were performed to detect 54 paraffin-embedded specimens (44 lung cancer tissues , 10 matched normal lung tissues) . RESULTS: Microscopic examination: Strong expression of CD44 in LN( + ) group was 75 % (18/ 24) , in LN( - ) group was 35 % (7/ 20) , and in matched normal lung tissue group was 0 (0/ 10) ( P < 0. 01) . Optical density quantitative analysis : LN( + ) group was 132. 4 +/-15. 6 , LN( - ) group was 112. 5 +/-14. 9 , and the matched normal lung tissue group was 90. 9 +/-10. 7 ( P < 0. 01) . The expression of CD44 wasn't related to the histological classification , the cell differentiation and the size of the cancer in NSCLC. CONCLUSIONS: CD44 expression is closely correlated with lymph node metastasis in NSCLC. Therefore , it might be an independent prognostic indicator which reflects the tendency to lymph node metastasis.