cancer stem cell markers cd44, cd133 in primary gastric adenocarcinoma

cancer stem cells (cscs) are unique subpopulations that have the capacity to drive malignant progression with renewal abilities. recently the role of some of cscs in gastric adenocarcinoma has been studied. this study was performed in order to evaluate cd44 and cd133 expressions by immunohistochemistry in 95 primary gastric adenocarcinoma and their relation to clinical and pathological parameters of these tumors. there was a significant correlation between cd44 expression and cancer subtype (intestinal), tumor size (4-8 cm), depth of invasion, no lymphatic/vascular invasion and moderate differentiation. there was a significant correlation between cd133 expression and patient's age (> 65 years), cancer subtype (intestinal), tumor size (4-8 cm), depth of invasion and moderate differentiation. csc markers like cd 44 and cd133 had high expression in primary gastric adenocarcinoma and had some relations to clinical and pathological parameters of tumors.