Expression of CD44 Variant Exons 8‐10 in Gastric Cancer

The expression of CD44 variant containing variant exons 8‐10 product (CD44v8‐10) was studied by western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry in gastric cancers using a monoclonal antibody, 44‐IV. On western blots, a single band of 130 kD was recognized in stomach cancer cell lines. CD44v8‐10 expression, with reactivity localized in the cell membrane, was found in 65 (33.5%) of the 194 advanced gastric cancers. There was no correlation between CD44v8‐10 immunoreactivity and serosal, lymphatic, or lymph node invasion. However, there was significant correlation with CD44v8‐10 immunoreactivity and venous invasion. CD44v8‐10‐positive cancers were more frequently associated with hematogenous metastasis than those which were immunonegative. There was an inverse association between CD44v8‐10 immunoreactivity and peritoneal dissemination, especially in diffuse type adenocarcinomas. These observations indicate that CD44v8‐10 may play a role in the metastasis of gastric cancer.