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Acquaviva G, Visani M, Repaci A, Rhoden KJ, de Biase D, Pession A, Giovanni T. Molecular pathology of thyroid tumours of follicular cells: a review of genetic alterations and their clinicopathological relevance. Histopathology 2018; 72:6-31. [PMID: 29239040 DOI: 10.1111/his.13380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Revised: 08/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy. Knowledge of the molecular pathology of thyroid tumours originating from follicular cells has greatly advanced in the past several years. Common molecular alterations, such as BRAF p.V600E, RAS point mutations, and fusion oncogenes (RET-PTC being the prototypical example), have been, respectively, associated with conventional papillary carcinoma, follicular-patterned tumours (follicular adenoma, follicular carcinoma, and the follicular variant of papillary carcinoma/non-invasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features), and with papillary carcinomas from young patients and arising after exposure to ionising radiation, respectively. The remarkable correlation between genotype and phenotype shows how specific, mutually exclusive molecular changes can promote tumour development and initiate a multistep tumorigenic process that is characterised by aberrant activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphoinositide 3-kinase-PTEN-AKT signalling. Molecular alterations are becoming useful biomarkers for diagnosis and risk stratification, and as potential treatment targets for aggressive forms of thyroid carcinoma. What follows is a review of the principal genetic alterations of thyroid tumours originating from follicular cells and of their clinicopathological relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Acquaviva
- Anatomical Pathology, Molecular Diagnostic Unit, University of Bologna School of Medicine, Azienda USL di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Michela Visani
- Anatomical Pathology, Molecular Diagnostic Unit, University of Bologna School of Medicine, Azienda USL di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Repaci
- Endocrinology Unit, University of Bologna School of Medicine, Bologna, Italy
| | - Kerry J Rhoden
- Medical Genetics Unit, University of Bologna School of Medicine, Bologna, Italy
| | - Dario de Biase
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Molecular Diagnostic Unit, University of Bologna, Azienda USL di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Pession
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Molecular Diagnostic Unit, University of Bologna, Azienda USL di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Tallini Giovanni
- Anatomical Pathology, Molecular Diagnostic Unit, University of Bologna School of Medicine, Azienda USL di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Colato C, Vicentini C, Cantara S, Pedron S, Brazzarola P, Marchetti I, Di Coscio G, Chilosi M, Brunelli M, Pacini F, Ferdeghini M. Break-apart interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization assay in papillary thyroid carcinoma: on the road to optimizing the cut-off level for RET/PTC rearrangements. Eur J Endocrinol 2015; 172:571-82. [PMID: 25698220 DOI: 10.1530/eje-14-0930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Chromosomal rearrangements of the RET proto-oncogene is one of the most common molecular events in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). However, their pathogenic role and clinical significance are still debated. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of RET/PTC rearrangement in a cohort of BRAF WT PTCs by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and to search a reliable cut-off level in order to distinguish clonal or non-clonal RET changes. DESIGN Forty BRAF WT PTCs were analyzed by FISH for RET rearrangements. As controls, six BRAFV600E mutated PTCs, 13 follicular adenomas (FA), and ten normal thyroid parenchyma were also analyzed. METHODS We performed FISH analysis on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue using a commercially available RET break-apart probe. A cut-off level equivalent to 10.2% of aberrant cells was accepted as significant. To validate FISH results, we analyzed the study cohort by qRT-PCR. RESULTS Split RET signals above the cut-off level were observed in 25% (10/40) of PTCs, harboring a percentage of positive cells ranging from 12 to 50%, and in one spontaneous FA (1/13, 7.7%). Overall, the data obtained by FISH matched well with qRT-PCR results. Challenging findings were observed in five cases showing a frequency of rearrangement very close to the cut-off. CONCLUSIONS FISH approach represents a powerful tool to estimate the ratio between broken and non-broken RET tumor cells. Establishing a precise FISH cut-off may be useful in the interpretation of the presence of RET rearrangement, primarily when this strategy is used for cytological evaluation or for targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Colato
- Department of Pathology and DiagnosticsARC-NET Research CentreUniversity of Verona, Policlinico GB Rossi, Piazzale LA Scuro, 10, Piastra Odontoiatrica (II floor), 37134 Verona, ItalyDepartment of Internal MedicineEndocrinology, and Metabolism and Biochemistry, University of Siena, Siena, ItalyDepartment of Surgery and OncologyUniversity of Verona, Verona, ItalyDivision of SurgicalMolecular and Ultrastructural, Section of Cytopathology, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, ItalyNuclear Medicine UnitUniversity Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Caterina Vicentini
- Department of Pathology and DiagnosticsARC-NET Research CentreUniversity of Verona, Policlinico GB Rossi, Piazzale LA Scuro, 10, Piastra Odontoiatrica (II floor), 37134 Verona, ItalyDepartment of Internal MedicineEndocrinology, and Metabolism and Biochemistry, University of Siena, Siena, ItalyDepartment of Surgery and OncologyUniversity of Verona, Verona, ItalyDivision of SurgicalMolecular and Ultrastructural, Section of Cytopathology, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, ItalyNuclear Medicine UnitUniversity Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Silvia Cantara
- Department of Pathology and DiagnosticsARC-NET Research CentreUniversity of Verona, Policlinico GB Rossi, Piazzale LA Scuro, 10, Piastra Odontoiatrica (II floor), 37134 Verona, ItalyDepartment of Internal MedicineEndocrinology, and Metabolism and Biochemistry, University of Siena, Siena, ItalyDepartment of Surgery and OncologyUniversity of Verona, Verona, ItalyDivision of SurgicalMolecular and Ultrastructural, Section of Cytopathology, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, ItalyNuclear Medicine UnitUniversity Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Serena Pedron
- Department of Pathology and DiagnosticsARC-NET Research CentreUniversity of Verona, Policlinico GB Rossi, Piazzale LA Scuro, 10, Piastra Odontoiatrica (II floor), 37134 Verona, ItalyDepartment of Internal MedicineEndocrinology, and Metabolism and Biochemistry, University of Siena, Siena, ItalyDepartment of Surgery and OncologyUniversity of Verona, Verona, ItalyDivision of SurgicalMolecular and Ultrastructural, Section of Cytopathology, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, ItalyNuclear Medicine UnitUniversity Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Paolo Brazzarola
- Department of Pathology and DiagnosticsARC-NET Research CentreUniversity of Verona, Policlinico GB Rossi, Piazzale LA Scuro, 10, Piastra Odontoiatrica (II floor), 37134 Verona, ItalyDepartment of Internal MedicineEndocrinology, and Metabolism and Biochemistry, University of Siena, Siena, ItalyDepartment of Surgery and OncologyUniversity of Verona, Verona, ItalyDivision of SurgicalMolecular and Ultrastructural, Section of Cytopathology, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, ItalyNuclear Medicine UnitUniversity Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Ivo Marchetti
- Department of Pathology and DiagnosticsARC-NET Research CentreUniversity of Verona, Policlinico GB Rossi, Piazzale LA Scuro, 10, Piastra Odontoiatrica (II floor), 37134 Verona, ItalyDepartment of Internal MedicineEndocrinology, and Metabolism and Biochemistry, University of Siena, Siena, ItalyDepartment of Surgery and OncologyUniversity of Verona, Verona, ItalyDivision of SurgicalMolecular and Ultrastructural, Section of Cytopathology, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, ItalyNuclear Medicine UnitUniversity Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Di Coscio
- Department of Pathology and DiagnosticsARC-NET Research CentreUniversity of Verona, Policlinico GB Rossi, Piazzale LA Scuro, 10, Piastra Odontoiatrica (II floor), 37134 Verona, ItalyDepartment of Internal MedicineEndocrinology, and Metabolism and Biochemistry, University of Siena, Siena, ItalyDepartment of Surgery and OncologyUniversity of Verona, Verona, ItalyDivision of SurgicalMolecular and Ultrastructural, Section of Cytopathology, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, ItalyNuclear Medicine UnitUniversity Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Marco Chilosi
- Department of Pathology and DiagnosticsARC-NET Research CentreUniversity of Verona, Policlinico GB Rossi, Piazzale LA Scuro, 10, Piastra Odontoiatrica (II floor), 37134 Verona, ItalyDepartment of Internal MedicineEndocrinology, and Metabolism and Biochemistry, University of Siena, Siena, ItalyDepartment of Surgery and OncologyUniversity of Verona, Verona, ItalyDivision of SurgicalMolecular and Ultrastructural, Section of Cytopathology, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, ItalyNuclear Medicine UnitUniversity Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Matteo Brunelli
- Department of Pathology and DiagnosticsARC-NET Research CentreUniversity of Verona, Policlinico GB Rossi, Piazzale LA Scuro, 10, Piastra Odontoiatrica (II floor), 37134 Verona, ItalyDepartment of Internal MedicineEndocrinology, and Metabolism and Biochemistry, University of Siena, Siena, ItalyDepartment of Surgery and OncologyUniversity of Verona, Verona, ItalyDivision of SurgicalMolecular and Ultrastructural, Section of Cytopathology, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, ItalyNuclear Medicine UnitUniversity Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Furio Pacini
- Department of Pathology and DiagnosticsARC-NET Research CentreUniversity of Verona, Policlinico GB Rossi, Piazzale LA Scuro, 10, Piastra Odontoiatrica (II floor), 37134 Verona, ItalyDepartment of Internal MedicineEndocrinology, and Metabolism and Biochemistry, University of Siena, Siena, ItalyDepartment of Surgery and OncologyUniversity of Verona, Verona, ItalyDivision of SurgicalMolecular and Ultrastructural, Section of Cytopathology, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, ItalyNuclear Medicine UnitUniversity Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Marco Ferdeghini
- Department of Pathology and DiagnosticsARC-NET Research CentreUniversity of Verona, Policlinico GB Rossi, Piazzale LA Scuro, 10, Piastra Odontoiatrica (II floor), 37134 Verona, ItalyDepartment of Internal MedicineEndocrinology, and Metabolism and Biochemistry, University of Siena, Siena, ItalyDepartment of Surgery and OncologyUniversity of Verona, Verona, ItalyDivision of SurgicalMolecular and Ultrastructural, Section of Cytopathology, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, ItalyNuclear Medicine UnitUniversity Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy Department of Pathology and DiagnosticsARC-NET Research CentreUniversity of Verona, Policlinico GB Rossi, Piazzale LA Scuro, 10, Piastra Odontoiatrica (II floor), 37134 Verona, ItalyDepartment of Internal MedicineEndocrinology, and Metabolism and Biochemistry, University of Siena, Siena, ItalyDepartment of Surgery and OncologyUniversity of Verona, Verona, ItalyDivision of SurgicalMolecular and Ultrastructural, Section of Cytopathology, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, ItalyNuclear Medicine UnitUniversity Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy
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Wark L, Danescu A, Natarajan S, Zhu X, Cheng SY, Hombach-Klonisch S, Mai S, Klonisch T. Three-dimensional telomere dynamics in follicular thyroid cancer. Thyroid 2014; 24:296-304. [PMID: 23819464 PMCID: PMC3926167 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2013.0118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over the last decade, annual incidence rates for thyroid cancer have been among the highest of all cancers in the Western world. However, the genomic mechanisms impacting thyroid carcinogenesis remain elusive. METHODS We employed an established mouse model of follicular thyroid cancer (FTC) with a homozygous proline to valine mutation (Thrb(PV/PV)) in the thyroid receptor β1 (TRβ1) and applied quantitative three-dimensional (3D) telomere analysis to determine 3D telomeric profiles in Thrb(PV)(/PV), Thrb(PV/)(+), and Thrb(+/+) mouse thyrocytes before and after histological presentation of FTC. RESULTS Using quantitative fluorescent in situ hybridization (Q-FISH) and TeloView™ image analysis, we found altered telomeric signatures specifically in mutant mouse thyrocytes. As early as 1 month of age, Thrb(PV/PV) mouse thyrocytes showed more telomeres than normal and heterozygous age-matched counterparts. Importantly, at the very early age of 1 month, 3D telomeric profiles of Thrb(PV/PV) thyrocyte nuclei reveal genetic heterogeneity with several nuclei populations exhibiting different telomere numbers, suggestive of various degrees of aneuploidy within the same animal. This was detected exclusively in Thrb(PV/PV) mice well before the presentation of histological signs of thyroid carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS We identified quantitative 3D telomere analysis as a novel tool for early detection and monitoring of thyrocyte chromosomal (in)stability. This technique has the potential to identify human patients at risk for developing thyroid carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Landon Wark
- Department of Human Anatomy & Cell Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
- Genomic Center for Cancer Research and Diagnosis, Manitoba Institute of Cell Biology, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Adrian Danescu
- Department of Human Anatomy & Cell Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Suchitra Natarajan
- Department of Human Anatomy & Cell Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Xuguang Zhu
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Sheue-yann Cheng
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Sabine Hombach-Klonisch
- Department of Human Anatomy & Cell Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, & Reproductive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Sabine Mai
- Department of Human Anatomy & Cell Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
- Genomic Center for Cancer Research and Diagnosis, Manitoba Institute of Cell Biology, Winnipeg, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Thomas Klonisch
- Department of Human Anatomy & Cell Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
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Rippe V, Flor I, Debler JW, Drieschner N, Rommel B, Krause D, Junker K, Bullerdiek J. Activation of the two microRNA clusters C19MC and miR-371-3 does not play prominent role in thyroid cancer. Mol Cytogenet 2012; 5:40. [PMID: 23062364 PMCID: PMC3538622 DOI: 10.1186/1755-8166-5-40] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2012] [Accepted: 08/21/2012] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chromosomal rearrangements of band 19q13.4 are frequent cytogenetic alterations in benign thyroid adenomas. Apparently, these alterations lead to the upregulation of genes encoding microRNAs of two clusters mapping to the breakpoint region, i.e. miR-371-3 and C19MC. Since members of both clusters have been associated with neoplastic growth in other tumor entities the question arises whether or not their upregulation predisposes to malignant transformation of follicular cells of the thyroid. To address this question we have quantified the expression of miR-372 and miR-520c-3p in samples of 114 thyroid cancers including eight anaplastic thyroid carcinomas, 25 follicular thyroid carcinomas, 78 papillary thyroid carcinomas (including 13 follicular variants thereof), two medullary thyroid carcinomas and one oncocytic thyroid carcinoma. Additionally, we quantified miR-371a-3p and miR-519a-3p in selected samples. While in neither of the cases miR-520c-3p and miR-519a-3p were found to be upregulated, one papillary and one anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, respectively, showed upregulation of miR-372 and miR-371a-3p. However, in these cases fluorescence in situ hybridization did not reveal rearrangements of the common breakpoint region as affected in adenomas. Thus, these rearrangements do apparently not play a major role as first steps in malignant transformation of the thyroid epithelium. Moreover, there is no evidence that 19q13.4 rearrangements characterize a subgroup of thyroid adenomas associated with a higher risk to undergo malignant transformation. Vice versa, the mechanisms by which 19q13.4 rearrangements contribute to benign tumorigenesis in the thyroid remain to be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volkhard Rippe
- Center for Human Genetics, University of Bremen, Leobener Str. ZHG, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Inga Flor
- Center for Human Genetics, University of Bremen, Leobener Str. ZHG, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | | | - Norbert Drieschner
- Center for Human Genetics, University of Bremen, Leobener Str. ZHG, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Birgit Rommel
- Center for Human Genetics, University of Bremen, Leobener Str. ZHG, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Daniel Krause
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Bremen-Mitte, St.-Jürgen-Str. 1, 28177, Bremen, Germany
| | - Klaus Junker
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Bremen-Mitte, St.-Jürgen-Str. 1, 28177, Bremen, Germany
| | - Jörn Bullerdiek
- Center for Human Genetics, University of Bremen, Leobener Str. ZHG, 28359, Bremen, Germany
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