Expression of cancer stem cell marker CD44 and axillary lymph node metastasis in invasive ductal carcinoma of breast

Abstract

Introduction: CD44 is a cell surface transmembrane glycoprotein is a member of cell adhesion molecules responsible for mediating communication and adhesion between adjacent cells and extracellular matrix. In recent years, CD44 has garnered a significant attention because of its utility as a stem cell marker and has surfaced as a potential therapeutic target, necessitating a greater understand of CD44 in breast cancer. Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the correlation between CD44 expression of tumour cells in breast cancer and presence of axillary lymph node metastasis. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted by the department of Pathology at Kamineni Academy of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Hyderabad, India from August 2022 to March 2023. Female patients who underwent modified radical mastectomy for invasive ductal carcinoma were taken in this study. Tumour and axillary lymph node histologically examined and histological grading was given. Immunohistochemistry of CD44 marker and its expression by the tumour cells was done by standard immunoperoxidase method. Results: The study included 35 invasive ductal carcinoma of breast. Out of 35 cases, 19 cases showed lymph nodal metastasis. Among these 19 cases, only 13 showed CD44 expression in tumour cells with P value of 0.108 which is not statistically significant. A positive trend is noted with CD44 expression with higher tumour grade. Conclusion: The above results do not show any significant association between CD44 expression in tumour cells and lymph nodal metastasis in invasive breast carcinoma.

Keywords

• cd44
• metastasis
• invasive breast cancer
• carcinoma