Expression of the adhesion molecule CD44 and its metastatic potential in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity

In the present study, expression of the adhesion molecule CD44 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells was investigated by immunoperoxidase staining of 35 surgically removed SCC lesions. In addition, the relationship between metastasis of SCC to regional lymph nodes and the mode of expression of CD44 in SCC was evaluated. Likewise, the relationships between the mode of expression of CD44 and the T classification, degree of differentiation, and mode of invasion were also assessed.Most SCC lesions were positive for CD44 staining. Among the 35 lesions, 17 were strongly positive for CD44 staining, 16 were moderately positive and 2 were negative. Comparative analysis between the 14 patients with metastasis and 21 patients without metastasis revealed that the strongly positive cases had a significantly higher rate of metastasis (12 of 17 cases, 70.6%) than that of moderately positive or negative (2 of 18 cases, 11.1%). Moreover, it was also suggested that strongly positive cases tended to form multiple metastasis. There was no significant correlation between the mode of expression of CD44 and the T classification, degree of differentiation, and mode of invasion.This study demonstrates the following two points:1. CD44 may play an important role in the metastasis of SCC to regional lymph nodes.2. The examination of CD44 yields useful information about the metastatic potential of SCC.