Expression Of CD133 And CD44 In Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma And Its Clinicopathological Significance

Objective To investigate the expression of CD133and CD44and their relationship with survival factors in medullary thyroid cancer. Methods The expression of CD133and CD44were detected by immunohistochemistry in51medullary thyroid cancer specimens. Results The positive rates of CD133in21extracapsular spread cases and30non-extracapsular spread cases were76.2%(16/21) and43.3%(13/30). The positive rates of CD133in45non-micromedullary thyroid cancers and6medullary thyroid cancers were64.4%(29/45) and20%(6/30). The positive rates of CD44in21extracapsular spread cases and30non-extracapsular spread cases were66.7%(14/21) and20%(6/30).There were significant statistical differences between them respectively(P<0.05). The expressions of CD133and CD44were positively correlated(r=0.375, P<0.01). Conclusion CD133and CD44expressed in the medullary thyroid cancer are associated with the cancer stem cells, clinicopathology, and prognosis. CD133and CD44may play an important role in the development of medullary thyroid cancer.