Adhesion molecule CD44 expression in non-tumor epithelium adjacent to laryngeal cancer.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Studies of adjacent non-tumor epithelia (ANTE) of laryngeal cancer have presented contradictory results regarding the expression of the adhesion molecule CD44 and its role as an early event and risk marker for progression to cancer. METHODS: An immunohistochemical study was performed on changes in CD44 expression in the ANTE and tumor tissue of 112 cases of laryngeal cancer, using the anti-CD44 monoclonal antibody DF1485. The aim was to evaluate the importance of these changes as an early event in laryngeal carcinogenesis. RESULTS: The ANTE were histologically hyperplastic in 107 cases (95.5%) and presented epithelial dysplasia in 105 cases (93.7%). A significant association between tumor and epithelial CD44 expression was observed in both hyperplastic (p < 0.001) and dysplastic (p < 0.001) ANTE. There was no significant association between ANTE CD44 expression and clinical or histopathological relevant data. CONCLUSIONS: Loss of CD44 expression in ANTE can be considered an early event in laryngeal carcinogenesis and a marker of major alterations in CD44 expression in the derived tumor tissue.