Low Expression of CD44 Is an Independent Factor of Poor Prognosis in Ovarian Mucinous Carcinoma

Aim To determine whether CD44, which is associated with tumor growth and metastasis, is related to carcinogenesis and prognosis in ovarian mucinous carcinomas (MACs). Materials and methods Tissue blocks from 71 patients with benign mucinous ovarian tumors were used in the study: 35 were from patients with borderline mucinous ovarian tumors, and 60 from patients with MACs. Immunochemical analysis was performed to evaluate the expression of CD44 and examine its association with tumorigenesis and survival. Results Compared to benign tumors, borderline tumors had high CD44 expression levels (p=0.047). Conversely, MACs had lower expression than borderline tumors (p=0.032). Progression-free and overall survival of patients with MAC with low CD44 expression were worse than those of patients with high expression (p=0.04 and p=0.02, respectively). Conclusion Malignant transformation of mucinous tumors is associated with changes in CD44 expression, with low expression level being a prognostic factor in MAC.