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Polymorphism in the CD44 gene predicted aggressive gastric cancer
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2010 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium
Researchers have identified a germline polymorphism in the CD44 gene that predicted which patients with gastric cancer would have shorter time to disease recurrence.
Results of a study of peripheral blood samples collected from 104 patients treated at the University of Southern California from 1998 to 2002 showed that patients with at least one G allele on the CD44 gene had disease recurrence up to three times sooner than patients who did not have that genetic variation.
“Testing for CD44 germline variations could help us to identify patients who would benefit from more aggressive treatment,” said Thomas Winder, MD, a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Southern California. “CD44 signaling pathway might be a potential target for drug development.”
Winder presented the results during a press conference prior to the 2010 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium.
Median overall time to recurrence was 2.1 years for patients with at least one G allele at the CD44 +4883G<A gene locus, rs187116, vs. 7.0 years for patients with the AA phenotype. Similarly, patients with at least on G allele had a shorter OS (4.1 years vs. 7.0 years).
Winder said that the association remained significant even after correcting for chemotherapy, N-category and race.
“Based on these data, germline variations in the CD44 gene are associated with time to tumor recurrence and OS in patients with localized gastric adenocarcinoma,” he said. “CD44 germline variations may identify patients at high risk for tumor recurrence.” – by Jason Harris
For more information:
- Winder T. #2. Presented at: the 2010 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium; Jan. 22-24, 2010; Orlando, Fla.
