RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 CD44s Expression is Associated with Improved Survival in Soft Tissue Sarcoma JF Anticancer Research JO Anticancer Res FD International Institute of Anticancer Research SP 1053 OP 1056 VO 24 IS 2C A1 MATTHIAS PEIPER A1 TAKEO SATO A1 DAVID ZURAKOWSKI A1 CLAUS EISENBERGER A1 ANTJE HEINECKE A1 STEFAN HOSCH A1 WOLFRAM TRUDO KNOEFEL YR 2004 UL http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/24/2C/1053.abstract AB Expression of CD44 has been identified as a prognostic factor in several malignant diseases. Few studies have correlated CD44 expression in soft tissue sarcoma with subsequent tumor progression or recurrence. We sought to investigate the clinical significance of CD44s (standard) in adult soft tissue sarcoma (STS). Tumor specimens of 62 patients with STS were evaluated by immunohistochemistry for CD44s expression. The primary outcome measures were survival and local recurrence. Of 62 analyzed specimens, 49 tumors were CD44s-positive compared to 13 CD44s-negative tumors. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated significantly better survival among patients whose tumor was CD44s-positive (p=0.015). CD44s expression (hazard ratio, 3.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.5 to 7.0), tumor size (hazard ratio, 11.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.8 to 32.2) and resection quality (R1 vs. R0: hazard ratio, 8.7; 95% confidence interval, 3.1 to 24.5) were independent predictors of survival in multivariate analysis. CD44s expression correlates with prognosis of soft tissue sarcomas and therefore may have a pathogenetic role in tumor progression. Our results suggest that expression of CD44s in primary STS provides value regarding the progression of STS and, therefore, could be useful in selecting patients for adjuvant treatment. Copyright© 2004 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved