@entity5 stem cells possess the qualities of self-renewal, tumorigenesis and the ability to recapitulate a heterogeneous @entity5 . Our group was the first to isolate @entity213 ( @entity213 ) stem cells using the cell surface marker @entity1759 . @entity1759 is a trans-membrane glycoprotein with a multitude of key-functions that regulate @entity5 cell proliferation and @entity3 . The variety of @entity1759 functions is due to tissue-specific patterns of glycosylation of the extracellular portion, and to the multiple protein isoforms ( @entity1759 variants, CD44v) generated by alternative splicing. This study investigates the expression pattern of @entity1759 variants in @entity213 . Ten cell lines from the most common @entity213 locations and representative of various clinical outcomes were assayed by quantitative realtime PCR, flow cytometry and immunofluorescence comparatively with normal oral keratinocytes. The @entity1759 v4 and v6 were exclusively abundant in @entity213 while the isoform v1,2 was expressed in normal oral keratinocytes. Of interest, the highest level of CD44v6 expression was detected in advanced metastatic @entity213 , suggesting a link between CD44v6 expression and @entity213 @entity3 , while the highest CD44v4 was detected in a stage IV @entity213 refractory to chemotherapy which developed recurrence. Oral-derived @entity213 expressed the highest CD44v4 and v6, and levels corresponded with staging, showing also an increasing tendency with recurrence and @entity3 . CD44v were detected predominantly in smaller cells (a characteristic that has been associated with stem cell properties) or cells with mesenchymal morphology (a characteristic that has been associated with the migratory and invasive potential of @entity5 cells), suggesting that @entity1759 v differential expression in @entity213 may be representative of the morphological changes inherent during @entity5 progression towards a more aggressive potential, and thus contributing to the individual @entity5 biology. The mechanism of @entity1759 variant involvement in @entity213 progression and @entity3 is under investigation.

Evaluation of XXXX variant expression in oral, head and neck squamous cell carcinomas using a triple approach and its clinical significance.

@entity5 :: ('MESH:D009369', 'Disease') :: ['tumor', 'cancer', 'Cancer', 'epithelial tumor'] @entity1759 :: ('960', 'Gene') :: ['CD44'] @entity3 :: ('MESH:D009362', 'Disease') :: ['metastasis'] @entity213 :: ('MESH:C535575', 'Disease') :: ['head and neck squamous cell carcinoma', 'HNSCC']
@entity1759 :: (960,Gene) :: ['CD44']
