CD24 expression is a prognostic factor in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

CD24, a cell surface protein originally identified in hematological malignancy, were found to be expressed in a large variety of solid tumors. It can function as a ligand for P-selectin, an adhesion receptor on activated endothelial cells and platelets. Overexpression of CD24 enhances the metastatic potential of cancer cells. We examined the expression of CD24 in 70 intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas by immunohistochemistry and correlated the expression with clinicopathological parameters. CD24 was expressed in 36 of 70 (51%) intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas. The expression did not significantly correlate the tumor size, stage, lymph node and distant metastasis. Patients with CD24 positive tumors had significant shorter survival time. In a multivariant analysis, CD24 expression and tumor stage were independent prognostic factors. Our data suggest that CD24 expression in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is a novel prognostic marker for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.