Mortality association of enhanced CD44v6 expression is not mediated through occult lymphatic spread in stage II colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In the absence of other metastatic disease, the presence of lymph node metastasis remains the most important determinant of survival in colorectal cancer (CRC). Cluster designation 44 variant 6 (CD44v6) over-expression is associated with worse outcome in all stages of CRC. The CD44v6 is believed to confer metastatic potential through its facilitation of migration, extravasation and proliferation, although the specific means by which it conveys an adverse prognosis in CRC is unknown. The aim of the present study was to determine if CD44v6 over-expression in Stage II CRC subjects was associated with the presence of lymph node micrometastases. METHODS: We assessed tumour CD44v6 expression in 43 randomly sampled subjects who had resections for Stage II CRC between 1984 and 1991 by using immunohistochemistry. Micrometastases were sought in corresponding lymph node (LN) sections using keratin immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: There was a statistical trend between tumour CD44v6 over-expression and mortality (P = 0.09) and a significant relationship between LN cytokeratins and mortality (P = 0.01). There was no association between the detection of LN cytokeratins and tumour CD44v6 over-expression. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the adverse survival effect of CD44v6 over-expression is not mediated though lymphatic spread and postulate that it may therefore facilitate haematogenous metastasis.