Expression of CD44s protein in non-small cell lung cancer

Objective To investigate the expression of standard CD44 ( CD44s) genes protein in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its relation to the tumor's histology, differentiation and lymphatic metastasis. Methods Expression of CD44s was detected with microwave and LSAB immunohistochemistry in 78 cases of NCLCS. Positive rate of CD44s was correlated with their his-topathology, differentiation and lymphatic metastasis. Results Total positive rate was shown to be 74.4% (58/78) in NSCLC. Squamous cell carcinomas had a positive rate of 63. 2% (24/38) ;adenocarcinomas, 88. 9% (24/27) ;large cell carcinomas,83. 3% (5/6) and aclenosquamous carcinoma,? 1. 4% (5/7)respectively. There was a significant difference( P 0. 01) among the squamous cell and adenosquamous, and large cell carcinoma. The positive rates in highly. moderately, poorly differentiated and undifferentialed carcinomas were 68. 4% ( 13/19) ,75. 8% (25/33) ,76.2% ( 16/21 ) and 80.0% (4/5) respectively. Significant difference ( P 0. 01) existed between highly differentiated and undifferenlialed carcinomas. Total and strong positive rates of NSCLC were 48. 1% (17/27)and 25. 9% (7/27)in the cases with lymphatic metastasis, while 88. 2% (45/51 ) and 74. 5% (38/51 ) in those without metastasis (P 0. 01). Conclusions NSCLC patients with higher CD44s positive expression had lower metastasis. The expression of CD44s in cancer cell could be used as a valuable marker in verifying the histological classification and the potentials of lymphatic metastasis.