CD44 antigen variant 6 (CD44v6)

CD44 antigen variant 6 (CD44v6) is an alternatively spliced isoform of the CD44 cell-surface glycoprotein, distinguished by the inclusion of exon variant 6. CD44v6 acts as a cell adhesion molecule and receptor that mediates cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions. Functionally, CD44v6 promotes cancer cell migration, adhesion, invasion, and metastasis, and serves as a co-receptor for signaling by growth factors such as HGF, EGF, VEGF, and CXCL12. It is highly expressed in many carcinomas, particularly head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and subsets of breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers, but is rare in tumors of nonepithelial origin. CD44v6 confers resistance to apoptosis and chemotherapeutic agents, in part by interfering with Fas receptor signaling and by promoting oncogenic signaling via c-Met and other pathways. Therapeutically, CD44v6 has been targeted with monoclonal antibodies and radiolabeled agents for tumor detection and treatment, and is a biomarker of poor prognosis and metastasis in multiple cancer types[1][2][3][4][5][6].

Other names

CD44 variant 6CD44v6CD44 exon v6-containing isoformvariant exon v6CD44v6 antigen

Monoclonal antibodies block CD44v6, inhibiting its anti-apoptotic functions and metastatic signaling[1][4]. Antibody-drug conjugates or radiolabeled antibodies directly deliver cytotoxic/radioactive payload to CD44v6-expressing tumor cells[1]. Blocking co-receptor function (e.g., interaction with c-Met, growth factor signaling)[4].