Collectively, these studies suggest that future development of drug targeting approaches can use tissue-specific expression of CD44v-specific antagonists as well as inhibitors (agents that are currently used in the clinic) targeting CD44 isoforms and their co-receptors/ligands that alter intracellular signaling in the inflammatory/tumor tissue microenvironment, as an effective and novel approach to regulate these diseases. Here, CD44 is linked to neoplasm.