The Prognostic and Clinical Value of CD44 in Colorectal Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Background: CD44 is widely used as a putative cancer stem cells (CSCs) marker for colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the prognostic role of CD44 in CRC remains controversial. Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the association of various CD44 isoforms and overall survival (OS) and clinicopathological features of CRC patients. Results: A total of 48 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Total CD44 isoforms overexpression was significantly correlated with worse OS of patients with CRC (HR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.08–1.61, P = 0.007). In a stratified analysis, a higher level of either CD44v6 or CD44v2 had an unfavorable impact on OS (HR(CD44v6) = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.10–2.14, P = 0.010; HR(CD44v2) = 2.93, 95% CI = 1.49–5.77, P = 0.002). Additionally, CD44 was shown to be associated with some clinicopathological features, such as lymph node metastasis (OR(CD44) = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.01–2.41, P = 0.044; OR(CD44v6) = 1.97, 95% CI = 1.19–3.26, P = 0.008; OR(Total CD44 isoforms) = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.15–2.14, P = 0.004), distant metastasis (OR(CD44) = 2.90, 95% CI = 1.08–7.83, P = 0.035; OR(Total CD44 isoforms) = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.02–3.53, P = 0.044). Moreover, a high level of CD44 showed a possible correlation with poor differentiation (OR(Total CD44 isoforms) = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.00–2.08, P = 0.051), elevated level of CD44v6 tend to be correlated with tumor size (OR = 1.71, 95% CI = 0.99–2.96, P = 0.056). Conclusions: This meta-analysis demonstrated that CD44 overexpression might be an unfavorable prognostic factor for CRC patients and could be used to predict poor differentiation, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis.