To evaluate their prognostic value, the expressions of CD44v and sialyl LeX 
(SLX) in colorectal cancers were studied immunohistochemically. Tissue specimens 
were reacted with monoclonal antibodies (mAb) CD44-1V and CSLEX-1. Of the 145 
colorectal cancer patients undergoing curative resection, 59 (40.7%) were 
positive for mAb CD44-1V, and 40 (27.6%) were positive for mAb CSLEX-1. There 
was a significant correlation between the combined expression of SLX and 
CD44v8-10 and lymph node metastasis. The patients with tumors negative for 
CD44v8-10 and SLX had the most favorable prognoses. Conversely, the patients 
with tumors positive for both CD44v8-10 and SLX had a high recurrence rate and 
the poorest prognoses. In a multivariate analysis using the Cox regression 
model, the combined expression of SLX and CD44v8-10 emerged as an independent 
prognostic indicator. These results suggested that the combined expression of 
CD44v8-10 and SLX may be a biologic marker of prognostic significance.