Relationship of fibronectin and CD44v6 expression with invasive growth and metastasis of liver cancer

Fibronectin and CD44v6 are involved in tumor invasion and metastasis. We examined fibronectin and CD44v6 expression in normal liver and liver cancer by immunohistochemistry. Fibronectin expression was identified in 37.5% of liver cancer specimens. Well-differentiated tumors and expansive growth were associated with continuous periacinar, or cytoplasmic and periacinar fibronectin expression; poorly differentiated and invasive tumors showed interrupted periacinar or vascular mesenchymal fibronectin expression. CD44v6 expression was absent in controls but was observed in 67.5% of liver cancers. Increased CD44v6 expression was more common with poor clinical tumor characteristics. FN and CD44v6 are potential markers for determining liver cancer invasion and metastasis.