Expression of cell adhesion molecule CD44 in mucoepidermoid carcinoma and its association with the tumor behavior

Abstract

BackgroundThe most common malignant salivary gland tumors that affect both adult and children is mucoepidermoid carcinoma. It usually affects both minor and major salivary glands but parotid gland is considering the most common site in which this tumor arises. CD44, a trans-membrane glycoprotein, is an adhesion molecule of cell surface that play a role in the connections between cell-cell and cell-matrix. Many malignant tumors express high levels of CD44, thus, CD44 may be used as an indicator of aggressive behavior of some human malignancy. We evaluate CD44 expression in different grades of mucoepidermoid carcinoma and determine whether expression of CD44 can be used to predict tumor aggressiveness.MethodsFifteen cases of mucoepidermoid carcinoma were retrieved from the oral pathology archives and grouped according to the histological grade as well as the clinical behavior regarding metastases and/or recurrence. Tissue sections were immunohistochemically stained for CD44. CD44 staining was scored for intensity and proportion of cells stained.ResultsA higher proportion of high-grade tumor tissues showed moderate or strong CD44 staining compared to low-grade tumors. Additionally, CD44 expression was stronger in tumors from patients with recurrences or metastases, but theses differences were not statistically significant.ConclusionOur result showed that mucoepidermoid carcinomas are immunohistochemistry positive to CD44 compare to normal. A trend of CD44 expression associated with different histological grading and aggressive behavior of this tumor.

The impact of proliferation and cancer stem cell upon the resistence to chemotherapy in salivary mucopepidermoid carcinoma

“…In the current work, high grade MEC cases had the highest CD-44 expression. This is consistent with the findings of Binmadi et al [40] whose high grade MEC cases revealed moderate to strong CD-44 expression. On the contrary, Rodrigo et al [41] found reduction of CD-44 expression in their poorly differentiated SCC cases.…”

The Role of CD44 AND SOX-2 Cancer Stem cell Markers in The Development and Progression of Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma and Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Salivary Glands

“…36,37,38 CD44 is an adhesion molecule which is expressed in normal and tumor tissues. 4 It is considered as a CSC marker which affords high malignant properties and therapeutic resistance. 39 An important function of CD44 in cancer is the protection of malignant cells from apoptosis through regulation of antiapoptotic or per-apoptotic processes.…”

“…This expression was higher in the invasive front of the tumor than in the central parts which indicates that CD44 may have a role in MEC progression. 4,28,35,43,44 Previously, Adams et al 35 and Warner et al 45 reported that mucoepidermoid carcinoma comprised a small cancer stem cells population with increased carcinogenic potential. These cancer stem cells strongly expressed CD44.…”

“…Vol. 64,No. 4 A study by Joshua et al 42 on HNSCC revealed expression of CD44 in all the tested samples.…”

“…Studying the pathobiology of this malignancy and the mechanism implicated in therapy resistance is very important to enhance the quality of life and the survival of patients with MEC. 4 Primary squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) is a malignant epithelial neoplasm which has an aggressive behavior and accounts for less than 1% of all neoplasms of the salivary glands. 5,6,7 It is crucial to restrain the diagnosis of PSCC to major salivary glands because it is impossible to verify whether the neoplasm originates from minor salivary glands themselves or from the nearby mucosa.…”