Expression of adhesion molecules CD44 and epithelial cadherin in epithelial ovarian cancer and relation to clinicopathological parameters: An immunohistochemical study

Background Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological malignancy. Most cases are diagnosed in advanced metastatic stage. Alteration of cellular-adhesion molecules is involved in invasion and metastasis of ovarian cancer. Patients and methods In 56 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer, CD44 and E-cadherin expression was determined by immunohistochemistry in relation to clinicopathological characteristics. Results CD44 expression was significantly related to high tumor grade (P=0.003), advanced tumor stage (P=0.011), and the presence of omental metastasis (P=0.004). Epithelial cadherin expression was inversely related to tumor grade (P=0.044) and omental metastasis (P=0.020). Among CD44/E-cadherin expression groups, the CD44high/E-cadherinlow group was significantly related to high tumor grade, advanced stage, omental metastasis, capsular invasion, and vascular invasion. Conclusion Since the CD44high/E-cadherinlow group was related to the features of aggressive tumor behavior, we speculate that assessment of the adhesion molecules CD44 and epithelial cadherin in epithelial ovarian cancer may be of considerable prognostic value and such markers can be promising therapeutic targets.