2002 CTOS Annual Meeting Posters — Surgery

CD44S IS A PROGNOSTIC MARKER IN SOFT TISSUE SARCOMA
[Abstract ID: 23]

Category: Surgery

Authors: Matthias Peiper¹, Takeo Sato¹, Antje Heinecke¹, Claus F. Eisenberger¹, Wolfram Trudo Knoefel¹, Jakob R. Izbicki¹

Author Institutions: ¹Department of Surgery University of Hamburg, Germany

Presenter: Matthias Peiper
peiper@uke.uni-hamburg.de

Correspondent: Matthias Peiper
peiper@uke.uni-hamburg.de
Hamburg Germany 20246
Ph: xx4949428032450
Fax: xx4940428033458

Objectives: The expression of CD44 has been identified as prognostic factor in several malignant diseases. However, only few data exist correlating CD44 expression in soft tissue sarcoma with subsequent tumor progression or recurrence. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of CD44s in adult soft tissue sarcoma (STS).

Methods: Tumor specimens of 62 patients with STS were evaluated regarding CD44s expression using immunohistochemistry. The significance of the proposed prognostic indicators was evaluated in relation to survival and local recurrence.

Results: Of 62 analyzed specimens, 49 tumors were CD44s positive compared to 13 CD44s negative tumors. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated significantly better survival among patients whose tumor was CD44s positive (P = 0.015). Variables predictive of longer survival included resection quality (R0, P < 0.01) and tumor size (T1, P = 0.02). CD44s expression correlates with prognosis of soft tissue sarcomas.

Conclusions: CD44s may play a pathogenetic role in tumor progression Determining the expression of CD44s in primary STS could be a valuable tool for selecting patients for further adjuvant treatment. Nevertheless, radical resection at initial surgery plays the pivotal role in soft tissue sarcoma treatment.