Expression of CD24 in adenocarcinomas of the pancreas correlates with higher tumor grades

Background/Aims: CD24 is expressed in hematological malignancies as well as in a large variety of solid tumors and is often associated with a more aggressive course of the disease. We aimed to evaluate CD24 protein expression in pancreatic adenocarcinomas and to correlate it to clinicopathological data including patient survival. Methods: 95 primary adenocarcinomas of the pancreas were immunostained using a monoclonal CD24 antibody (Ab-2, clone 24C02). Staining was evaluated as negative versus positive for statistical analysis. Results: CD24 expression was observed in 71.6% of cases with a heterogeneous distribution, and a significantly higher rate of positivity in high grade (G3) tumors. In univariate survival analyses, no association of CD24 expression with shortened overall survival of the patients could be demonstrated. Conclusion: CD24 is commonly expressed in adenocarcinomas of the pancreas, preferentially high-grade tumors and thus might be a marker of disease progression. Copyright (C) 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel and IAP.