The utility of CD44 and D2-40 as a prognostic predictor in invasive carcinomas of the breast

Purpose:Local recurrence and distant metastasis are major prognostic factors associated with breast cancer. Lymphovascular invasion is an important pathway of metastatic spread. CD44 and D2-40 are assumed to be related with invasion of malignant cells to the adjacent lymphatic or vascular structures by different mechanisms. This study was conducted to examine whether CD44 and D2-40 expression together have prognostic value in invasive carcinoma of the breast. Methods:A total of 46 surgically resected tissue samples of invasive carcinoma of the breast were analyzed for immunohistochemical expression of CD44 and D2-40, along with other clinicopathologic factors. Association between patient related factors and disease free survival was evaluated by statistical analysis. Results:Disease free survival was shorter in CD44-positive patients (median, 66.5 months) than in CD44-negative patients (median, 112.6 months; P