[Expression of CD44 metastatic variant mRNA in colorectal carcinomas and its role in tumor metastasis and invasion]

Abstract

The expression of CD44 molecules was investigated in colorectal carcinomas by RT-PCR and Southern Blot Analysis. There were significant differences between neoplastic and non-neoplastic colonic mucosa in the expression of CD44 metastatic variant mRNA. The CD44 metastatic variant mRNA was found to be increased in the neoplastic mucosa. However, we could not find metastasis-specific transcript in primary colorectal carcinomas. Our study suggests that the neoplastic transformation of colonic mucosa increases the expression of CD44 molecules, including the variant forms, which modulate the behavior of the tumor cells. The measurement of serum CD44 is useful in the estimation of tumor mass and its regression by treatment. Further investigation is needed to clearly understand the role of CD44 molecules in tumor metastasis and invasion.