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Iacobas DA, Iacobas S. Papillary Thyroid Cancer Remodels the Genetic Information Processing Pathways. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:621. [PMID: 38790250 PMCID: PMC11120757 DOI: 10.3390/genes15050621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The genetic causes of the differentiated, highly treatable, and mostly non-fatal papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) are not yet fully understood. The mostly accepted PTC etiology blames the altered sequence or/and expression level of certain biomarker genes. However, tumor heterogeneity and the patient's unique set of favoring factors question the fit-for-all gene biomarkers. Publicly accessible gene expression profiles of the cancer nodule and the surrounding normal tissue from a surgically removed PTC tumor were re-analyzed to determine the cancer-induced alterations of the genomic fabrics responsible for major functional pathways. Tumor data were compared with those of standard papillary and anaplastic thyroid cancer cell lines. We found that PTC regulated numerous genes associated with DNA replication, repair, and transcription. Results further indicated that changes of the gene networking in functional pathways and the homeostatic control of transcript abundances also had major contributions to the PTC phenotype occurrence. The purpose to proliferate and invade the entire gland may explain the substantial transcriptomic differences we detected between the cells of the cancer nodule and those spread in homo-cellular cultures (where they need only to survive). In conclusion, the PTC etiology should include the complex molecular mechanisms involved in the remodeling of the genetic information processing pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dumitru Andrei Iacobas
- Personalized Genomics Laboratory, Undergraduate Medical Academy, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX 77446, USA
| | - Sanda Iacobas
- Department of Pathology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA;
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Fiorentino V, Martini M, Galletti C, Pizzimenti C, Franchina M, Ieni A, Fadda G, Galletti B, Tuccari G. The Morphology of Nasal Polyps in Different Age Groups: Histopathological Features. J Pers Med 2024; 14:414. [PMID: 38673041 PMCID: PMC11051558 DOI: 10.3390/jpm14040414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nasal polyps (NPs) represent the end-stage manifestation of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), a relatively common pathological condition encountered in all ages of life. METHODOLOGY The aim of our study was to evaluate the histological features and inflammatory cellular components of NPs in a retrospective cohort (143 cases) of pediatric, adult and elderly populations in order to discuss the possible morphological age-related differences statistically documented. RESULTS In the pediatric group, the inflammatory infiltrate presented many eosinophils mixed with lymphocytes, while in the adult population, lymphocytes and plasma cells were mainly evident, frequently with a perivascular distribution or with the formation of subepithelial lymphoid nodules. In the elderly population, inflammation was less evident and was associated with cavernous-like angecthatic structures with thrombotic stratification. Nearly all morphological findings exhibited statistically significant values among differently aged subgroups. CONCLUSIONS Our results support the presence of histological specificities of NPs at different ages of life, providing new insight into the etiopathogenesis of NPs. The future role of biological therapies, mainly in cases refractory to already available standard medical and surgical treatments, may be analyzed by a prospective study using a larger cohort with a long-term evaluation also in relation to a possible relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Fiorentino
- Dipartimento di Patologia Umana Dell’adulto e Dell’età Evolutiva Gaetano Barresi, Università Degli Studi di Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy; (M.M.); (C.G.); (M.F.); (A.I.); (G.F.); (B.G.); (G.T.)
| | - Maurizio Martini
- Dipartimento di Patologia Umana Dell’adulto e Dell’età Evolutiva Gaetano Barresi, Università Degli Studi di Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy; (M.M.); (C.G.); (M.F.); (A.I.); (G.F.); (B.G.); (G.T.)
| | - Cosimo Galletti
- Dipartimento di Patologia Umana Dell’adulto e Dell’età Evolutiva Gaetano Barresi, Università Degli Studi di Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy; (M.M.); (C.G.); (M.F.); (A.I.); (G.F.); (B.G.); (G.T.)
| | - Cristina Pizzimenti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Odontoiatriche e Delle Immagini Morfologiche e Funzionali, Università Degli Studi di Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy;
| | - Mariausilia Franchina
- Dipartimento di Patologia Umana Dell’adulto e Dell’età Evolutiva Gaetano Barresi, Università Degli Studi di Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy; (M.M.); (C.G.); (M.F.); (A.I.); (G.F.); (B.G.); (G.T.)
| | - Antonio Ieni
- Dipartimento di Patologia Umana Dell’adulto e Dell’età Evolutiva Gaetano Barresi, Università Degli Studi di Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy; (M.M.); (C.G.); (M.F.); (A.I.); (G.F.); (B.G.); (G.T.)
| | - Guido Fadda
- Dipartimento di Patologia Umana Dell’adulto e Dell’età Evolutiva Gaetano Barresi, Università Degli Studi di Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy; (M.M.); (C.G.); (M.F.); (A.I.); (G.F.); (B.G.); (G.T.)
| | - Bruno Galletti
- Dipartimento di Patologia Umana Dell’adulto e Dell’età Evolutiva Gaetano Barresi, Università Degli Studi di Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy; (M.M.); (C.G.); (M.F.); (A.I.); (G.F.); (B.G.); (G.T.)
| | - Giovanni Tuccari
- Dipartimento di Patologia Umana Dell’adulto e Dell’età Evolutiva Gaetano Barresi, Università Degli Studi di Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy; (M.M.); (C.G.); (M.F.); (A.I.); (G.F.); (B.G.); (G.T.)
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Matei M, Vlad MM, Golu I, Dumitru CȘ, De Scisciolo G, Matei SC. Can Routine Laboratory Tests Be Suggestive in Determining Suspicions of Malignancy in the Case of Thyroid Nodules? MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:1488. [PMID: 37629778 PMCID: PMC10456539 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59081488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Background and objectives: Thyroid nodules are a common finding in clinical practice and can be either benign or malignant. The aim of this study was to compare laboratory parameters between patients with malignant thyroid nodules and those with benign thyroid nodules. Materials and methods: A total of 845 patients were included, with 251 in the study group (malignant thyroid nodules) and 594 in the control group (benign thyroid nodules). Results: Our results show that there were statistically significant differences in several laboratory parameters, including FT3, FT4, ESR, fibrinogen, WBC, and lymphocyte percentage, between the two patient groups (p < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggest that certain laboratory parameters may be useful in differentiating between benign and malignant thyroid nodules and could aid in the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid cancer. However, further diagnostic tests such as fine-needle aspiration biopsy and imaging studies are typically required for an accurate diagnosis. Routine laboratory tests prove most effective when combined with other diagnostic methods to identify thyroid cancer. Although not conclusive on their own, these tests significantly suggest and guide physicians to suspect malignancy in thyroid nodules. This affirmative answer to our question, "Can routine laboratory tests be suggestive in determining suspicions of malignancy in the case of thyroid nodules?" aligns with the results of our study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mervat Matei
- Department of Doctoral Studies, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara, Eftimie Murgu Sq. no. 2, 300041 Timișoara, Romania;
- Endocrinology Clinic, “Pius Brînzeu” Emergency Clinical Hospital Timișoara, Liviu Rebreanu Boulevard no. 156, 300723 Timișoara, Romania; (M.M.V.); (I.G.)
| | - Mihaela Maria Vlad
- Endocrinology Clinic, “Pius Brînzeu” Emergency Clinical Hospital Timișoara, Liviu Rebreanu Boulevard no. 156, 300723 Timișoara, Romania; (M.M.V.); (I.G.)
- Endocrinology Department, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara, Eftimie Murgu Sq. no. 2, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
| | - Ioana Golu
- Endocrinology Clinic, “Pius Brînzeu” Emergency Clinical Hospital Timișoara, Liviu Rebreanu Boulevard no. 156, 300723 Timișoara, Romania; (M.M.V.); (I.G.)
- Endocrinology Department, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara, Eftimie Murgu Sq. no. 2, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
| | - Cristina Ștefania Dumitru
- Department of Microscopic Morphology/Histology, Angiogenesis Research Center, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Sq. Eftimie Murgu no. 2, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
| | - Graziano De Scisciolo
- Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara, Eftimie Murgu Sq. no. 2, 300041 Timișoara, Romania;
| | - Sergiu-Ciprian Matei
- Abdominal Surgery and Phlebology Research Center, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq. no. 2, 300041 Timișoara, Romania;
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Nechifor-Boilă A, Zahan A, Bănescu C, Moldovan V, Piciu D, Voidăzan S, Borda A. Impact of BRAFV600E Mutation on Event-Free Survival in Patients with Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Retrospective Study in a Romanian Population. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4053. [PMID: 37627081 PMCID: PMC10452493 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15164053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of BRAFV600E mutation in a series of 127 papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) cases as a single factor, and in synergic interaction with other standard risk factors. BRAFV600E mutation was assessed by real-time PCR. Event-free survival (EFS) was calculated between the date of the first evaluation and the date of occurrence of an adverse event or the date of the last known status. The prevalence of BRAFV600E mutation was 57.2%. The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a significant reduction of EFS among cases harboring BRAFV600E mutation compared to non-mutated cases (p = 0.010). In addition, BRAFV600E mutation was found to better predict adverse outcomes when associated with the following risk factors: age ≥ 55 years old (p < 0.001), male gender (p < 0.001), conventional (p = 0.005) and tall cell (p = 0.014) histology, tumor size > 40 mm (p = 0.001), extrathyroidal extension (p = 0.001), multifocality (p = 0.001) and lymph node metastasis (p < 0.001). In univariate analysis, a 3.74-fold increased risk for a reduced EFS (p = 0.018) was found for BRAFV600E-mutated cases, but no increased risk was further confirmed by multivariate analysis. Our results highlight that BRAFV600E mutation cannot be used alone as an independent predictive factor in PTC patients, but is prognostically valuable if integrated in the context of other clinicopathological risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adela Nechifor-Boilă
- Department of Histology, Center for Advanced Medical and Pharmaceutical Research, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu-Mureș, 38th Gh. Marinescu Street, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania; (A.Z.); (A.B.)
- Department of Pathology, Targu-Mures Clinical County Hospital, 28 First December 1918 Street, 540061 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Ancuţa Zahan
- Department of Histology, Center for Advanced Medical and Pharmaceutical Research, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu-Mureș, 38th Gh. Marinescu Street, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania; (A.Z.); (A.B.)
| | - Claudia Bănescu
- Department of Genetics, Center for Advanced Medical and Pharmaceutical Research, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu-Mureș, 38th Gh. Marinescu Street, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania; (C.B.); (V.M.)
| | - Valeriu Moldovan
- Department of Genetics, Center for Advanced Medical and Pharmaceutical Research, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu-Mureș, 38th Gh. Marinescu Street, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania; (C.B.); (V.M.)
| | - Doina Piciu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, “Ion Chiricuţă” Institute of Oncology, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Septimiu Voidăzan
- Department of Epidemiology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu-Mureș, 38th Gh. Marinescu Street, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania;
| | - Angela Borda
- Department of Histology, Center for Advanced Medical and Pharmaceutical Research, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu-Mureș, 38th Gh. Marinescu Street, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania; (A.Z.); (A.B.)
- Department of Pathology, Targu-Mureș Emergency County Hospital, 50 Gh. Marinescu Street, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania
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5
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Pizzimenti C, Fiorentino V, Ieni A, Rossi ED, Germanà E, Giovanella L, Lentini M, Alessi Y, Tuccari G, Campennì A, Martini M, Fadda G. BRAF-AXL-PD-L1 Signaling Axis as a Possible Biological Marker for RAI Treatment in the Thyroid Cancer ATA Intermediate Risk Category. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10024. [PMID: 37373171 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241210024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of radioiodine therapy (RIT) is debated in intermediate-risk differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients. The understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of DTC can be useful to refine patient selection for RIT. We analyzed the mutational status of BRAF, RAS, TERT, PIK3 and RET, and the expression of PD-L1 (as a CPS score), the NIS and AXL genes and the tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL, as the CD4/CD8 ratio), in the tumor tissue in a cohort of forty-six ATA intermediate-risk patients, homogeneously treated with surgery and RIT. We found a significant correlation between BRAF mutations and a less than excellent (LER, according to 2015 ATA classification) response to RIT treatment (p = 0.001), higher expression of the AXL gene (p = 0.007), lower expression of NIS (p = 0.045) and higher expression of PD-L1 (p = 0.004). Moreover, the LER patient group had a significantly higher level of AXL (p = 0.0003), a lower level of NIS (p = 0.0004) and a higher PD-L1 level (p = 0.0001) in comparison to patients having an excellent response to RIT. We also found a significant direct correlation between the AXL level and PD-L1 expression (p < 0.0001) and a significant inverse correlation between AXL and NIS expression and TILs (p = 0.0009 and p = 0.028, respectively). These data suggest that BRAF mutations and AXL expression are involved in LER among DTC patients and in the higher expression of PD-L1 and CD8, becoming new possible biomarkers to personalize RIT in the ATA intermediate-risk group, as well as the use of higher radioiodine activity or other possible therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Pizzimenti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Odontoiatriche e Delle Immagini Morfologiche e Funzionali, Divisione di Medicina Nucleare, Università Degli Studi di Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Fiorentino
- Dipartimento di Patologia Umana Dell'adulto e Dell'età Evolutiva Gaetano Barresi, Divisione di Anatomia Patologica, Università Degli Studi di Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Antonio Ieni
- Dipartimento di Patologia Umana Dell'adulto e Dell'età Evolutiva Gaetano Barresi, Divisione di Anatomia Patologica, Università Degli Studi di Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Esther Diana Rossi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Della Salute e Salute Pubblica, Divisione di Anatomia Patologica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Emanuela Germanà
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Odontoiatriche e Delle Immagini Morfologiche e Funzionali, Divisione di Medicina Nucleare, Università Degli Studi di Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Luca Giovanella
- Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Istituto Imaging della Svizzera Italiana, Clinica di Medicina Nucleare e Imaging Molecolare, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Maria Lentini
- Dipartimento di Patologia Umana Dell'adulto e Dell'età Evolutiva Gaetano Barresi, Divisione di Anatomia Patologica, Università Degli Studi di Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Ylenia Alessi
- Dipartimento di Patologia Umana Dell'adulto e Dell'età Evolutiva Gaetano Barresi, Divisione di Anatomia Patologica, Università Degli Studi di Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Giovanni Tuccari
- Dipartimento di Patologia Umana Dell'adulto e Dell'età Evolutiva Gaetano Barresi, Divisione di Anatomia Patologica, Università Degli Studi di Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Alfredo Campennì
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Odontoiatriche e Delle Immagini Morfologiche e Funzionali, Divisione di Medicina Nucleare, Università Degli Studi di Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Maurizio Martini
- Dipartimento di Patologia Umana Dell'adulto e Dell'età Evolutiva Gaetano Barresi, Divisione di Anatomia Patologica, Università Degli Studi di Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Guido Fadda
- Dipartimento di Patologia Umana Dell'adulto e Dell'età Evolutiva Gaetano Barresi, Divisione di Anatomia Patologica, Università Degli Studi di Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
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Policardo F, Tralongo P, Arciuolo D, Fiorentino V, Cardasciani L, Pierconti F, Carlino A, Curatolo M, Pontecorvi A, Fadda G, De Crea C, Lombardi CP, Raffaelli M, Larocca LM, Pantanowitz L, Rossi ED. p53 expression in cytology samples may represent a marker of early-stage cancer. Cancer Cytopathol 2023; 131:392-401. [PMID: 36974003 DOI: 10.1002/cncy.22694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND TP53 gene plays a major role in the negative control of cell proliferation and in the regulation of signaling cascades. TP53 mutation may have a relevant role in the malignant transformation of thyroid cells as well as thyroid tumor progression. TP53 mutation has been detected only in few well differentiated thyroid carcinomas and is absent in benign conditions. METHODS A total of 162 prospective thyroid cytology and corresponding histological samples diagnosed from atypia of indeterminate significance (AUS) to malignant, were studied via immunocytochemistry for p53. Hence, 50 benign lesions (B) were used as negative control. Molecular analysis for p53 only was performed. RESULTS The cytology resulted in 50 B, 48 AUS, 40 follicular neoplasms (FNs), 23 suspicious for malignancy (SFM), and 1 malignant (M) case. The authors reported 102 negative and 60 positive p53 cases. The 60 positive cases included 27 cases with weak and/or focal cytoplasmic positivity (+1) and 33 with cases moderate (2+) to strong (3+) cytoplasmic and/or nuclear expression. Overall, 71 cases had histology (2 B, 11 AUS, 37 FN, 20 SFM, and 1 M) including 61.7% benign and 38.2% malignant diagnoses. Only 16 of 71 (5 FN, 10 SFM, and 1 M) were p53-positive. Furthermore, 100% AUS and 86.5% FN cases were p53-negative, none of which had malignant histology. All p53-positive cases were associated with a larger nodule size, tall-cell variant subtype, multifocality, extra thyroidal infiltration, and nodal metastases. Noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary like nuclear features were negative for p53. Few discrepancies in p53 intensity were observed on histology; there were no differences with the molecular testing. CONCLUSIONS p53 might be useful in discriminating thyroid follicular lesions. p53 is likely to be a useful diagnostic marker in recognizing indeterminate lesions that are well-differentiated thyroid cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Policardo
- Division of Anatomic Pathology and Histology, Catholic University of Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy
| | - Pietro Tralongo
- Division of Anatomic Pathology and Histology, Catholic University of Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy
| | - Damiano Arciuolo
- Division of Anatomic Pathology and Histology, Catholic University of Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Fiorentino
- Division of Anatomic Pathology and Histology, Catholic University of Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy
| | - Lina Cardasciani
- Division of Anatomic Pathology and Histology, Catholic University of Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Pierconti
- Division of Anatomic Pathology and Histology, Catholic University of Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Carlino
- Division of Anatomic Pathology and Histology, Catholic University of Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy
| | - Mariangela Curatolo
- Division of Anatomic Pathology and Histology, Catholic University of Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Guido Fadda
- Division of Anatomic Pathology and Histology, Catholic University of Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy
| | - Carmela De Crea
- Division of Endocrine-Surgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli"-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Celestino Pio Lombardi
- Division of Endocrine-Surgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli"-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Raffaelli
- Division of Endocrine-Surgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli"-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi Maria Larocca
- Division of Anatomic Pathology and Histology, Catholic University of Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy
| | - Liron Pantanowitz
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Esther Diana Rossi
- Division of Anatomic Pathology and Histology, Catholic University of Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy
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7
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VanderLaan PA, Roy-Chowdhuri S, Griffith CC, Weiss VL, Booth CN. Molecular testing of cytology specimens: overview of assay selection with focus on lung, salivary gland, and thyroid testing. J Am Soc Cytopathol 2022; 11:403-414. [PMID: 36184436 PMCID: PMC10225070 DOI: 10.1016/j.jasc.2022.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Ancillary and molecular testing of cytopathology specimens has emerged as a reliable and useful tool to provide diagnostic information and treatment-related biomarker status for the management of cancer patients. The cytology specimens obtained through minimally invasive means have proven suitable testing substrates for a variety of ancillary tests, including immunohistochemistry, fluorescence in situ hybridization, as well as polymerase chain reaction and next generation sequencing molecular techniques. By focusing specifically on the cytology specimen, this review provides an overview of basic testing considerations and assay selection in addition to updates on the ancillary testing of cytologic tumor specimens from the lung, salivary gland, and thyroid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A VanderLaan
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sinchita Roy-Chowdhuri
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | | | - Vivian L Weiss
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
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8
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Napoli F, Rapa I, Mortara U, Massa F, Izzo S, Rigutto A, Zambelli V, Bellevicine C, Troncone G, Papotti M, Volante M. MicroRNA profiling predicts positive nodal status in papillary thyroid carcinoma in the preoperative setting. Cancer Cytopathol 2022; 130:695-704. [PMID: 35500065 DOI: 10.1002/cncy.22585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The molecular characterization of thyroid nodules in cytological samples has so far been focused on discriminating between benign and malignant forms in a purely diagnostic setting. The evidence on the impact of molecular biomarkers to determine the risk of aggressiveness in cytologically "neoplastic" lesions is limited to genomic alterations (such as BRAF and TERT mutations). The aim of our study was to assess the preoperative role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in predicting the nodal status of patients with papillary thyroid cancer. METHODS A pilot series of histological samples of papillary thyroid carcinoma with (6 cases) or without (6 cases) lymph node metastases, matched for other major clinical and pathological features, was analyzed for global miRNA expression in a screening phase. A set of miRNAs was then validated in a series of 63 consecutive cytological samples of papillary carcinomas: 48 pN-negative and 15 pN-positive at histology. RESULTS Unsupervised cluster analysis segregated surgical pN-negative and pN-positive samples, except for 1 case. The 45 differentially expressed miRNAs in pN-positive versus pN-negative cases were predicted to regulate a wide range of cellular pathways, enriched for Wnt, gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor, and cerulein/cholecystokinin receptor signaling. In agreement with their profiles in surgical samples, 4 miRNAs of the 10 selected for validation (miR-154-3p, miR-299-5p, miR-376a-3p, and miR-302E) had a significant differential expression in cytological samples of papillary carcinoma with lymph node metastases and predicted the positive nodal status with a relatively good performance. CONCLUSIONS MiRNA profiling is a potential promising strategy to define papillary carcinoma aggressiveness in the preoperative setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Napoli
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - Ida Rapa
- Pathology Unit, San Luigi Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Umberto Mortara
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | | | - Angelica Rigutto
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Orbassano, Turin, Italy.,Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital of Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Vanessa Zambelli
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - Claudio Bellevicine
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Troncone
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Mauro Papotti
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - Marco Volante
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Orbassano, Turin, Italy
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Does Locally Advanced Thyroid Cancer Have Different Features? Results from a Single Academic Center. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12020221. [PMID: 35207709 PMCID: PMC8879437 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12020221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Despite the fact that the majority of thyroid cancers are indolent, 15% of patients with well-differentiated carcinoma including papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) present with locally advanced thyroid cancer (LATC) at diagnosis. The current study analyzes a cohort of patients with LATC focusing on their risk for local recurrence, distant metastases, and overall survival. Materials and methods: From January 2010 to December 2020, 65 patients with LATC were retrieved, including 42 cases with preoperative cytological samples. BRAFV600E and TERT mutations were performed on both cytology and histopathology specimens in this cohort. Results: Among the 65 cases, 42 (65%) were women. The median age was 60.1 years. Histological diagnoses included 25 (38.4%) with classic PTC and 30 (46.1%) aggressive variants of PTC, mostly tall cell variant (17 cases, 26.1%). Multifocality was seen in 33 cases (50.8%). All patients had nodal metastases. The most common site of extrathyroidal extension was the recurrent laryngeal nerve (69.2%). Staging revealed 21 cases were stage I, none were stage II, 33 were stage III, and 7 were stage IVa and 4 stage IVb. No differences were found between well and poorly/undifferentiated thyroid cancers. Conclusion: These data suggest that locally advanced thyroid cancers, including variants of PTC, exhibit a more aggressive biological course and should accordingly be more assertively managed.
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Molecular Testing of Thyroid Fine-Needle Aspiration: Local Issues and Solutions. An Interventional Cytopathologist Perspective. JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR PATHOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/jmp2030020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular testing has acquired a relevant role for diagnostic and prognostic stratification of indeterminate thyroid nodules. Besides the available commercial solutions marketed in the United States, various local testing strategies have been developed in the last decade. In this setting, the modern interventional cytopathologist, the physician who performs the both aspirate and the morphologic interpretation plays a key role in the correct handling of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) samples not only for microscopy but also for molecular techniques. This review summarizes experiences with local approaches to the molecular testing of thyroid FNA, highlighting the role of the modern interventional cytopathologist.
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