High Expression of CD44 Predicts a Poor Prognosis in Glioblastomas

Daolin Si,1 Fei Yin,1 Jing Peng,1 Guangying Zhang2 1Department of Pediatric Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province 410008, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province 410008, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Guangying ZhangDepartment of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Kaifu District, Changsha, Hunan Province 410008, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86-731- 89753043Fax +86-731- 89753332Email 437783777@qq.comPurpose: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common of the malignant and invasive gliomas. High grade glioma is prone to relapse and has a poor prognosis. However, there is a big difference in terms of survival time with the same grade glioma. Cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44) is an indicator of cancer stem cells with abnormal expression in many malignant tumors, however the expression in GBM is unknown.Methods: Tissue specimens were collected from 62 GBM patients to investigate CD44 expression and their prognosis was followed-up. Chi-square test was used to identify the association between CD44 staining and clinical characteristics of the patients. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to draw survival curves and Cox regression analysis to confirm the independent prognostic factors of GBM patients.Results: In total, 38.7% (24/62) of the patients had high CD44 staining. The median survival times were 3.5 months and 18.5 months for high and low expressions of CD44, respectively. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that tumor location, the extent of tumor resection, adjuvant chemotherapy, and CD44 expression were related to overall survival time of GBM patients (P