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Kabootari M, Habibi Tirtashi R, Zadeh-Vakili A, Zarkesh M, Samadanifard H, Haghighi S, Azizi F, Amouzegar A. RET/PTC rearrangement in papillary thyroid carcinoma arising in malignant struma ovarii with abdominal wall metastasis and cervical thyroid gland: a case report and review of the literature. Thyroid Res 2023; 16:39. [PMID: 37759238 PMCID: PMC10537935 DOI: 10.1186/s13044-023-00181-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Struma ovarii refers to rare mature cystic teratomas containing at least 50% of thyroid tissue, and malignant transformation is known to be even rarer. The synchronous development of malignant struma ovarii and cervical thyroid carcinoma are also scarce and poorly understood due to limited data about molecular features. Here, we present the first report of RET/PTC 1 rearrangement in synchronous metastatic malignant struma ovarii to the abdominal wall and cervical thyroid cancer. CASE PRESENTATION We described a 47-year-old multigravida woman with bilateral adnexal and lower abdominal wall masses detected during the evaluation of abnormal uterine bleeding. The patient underwent a hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and surgical removal of abdominal wall mass. Then, the pathological evaluation revealed papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) within struma ovarii and metastatic PTC in the abdominal wall fibro adipose tissue. Further, cervical thyroid gland physical examination and ultrasound illustrated a nodule within the left lobe. Subsequently, a total thyroidectomy was performed, and a histological examination revealed PTC. Furthermore, all affected tissue, i.e., struma ovarii, abdominal wall metastasis, and cervical thyroid gland tested for BRAF and RAS mutations and RET/PTC 1 rearrangement. RET/PTC 1 rearrangement was identified among all three different sites. Finally, after six years of follow-up, the patient had no evidence of recurrence or distant metastasis. CONCLUSIONS In light of these findings, malignant struma ovarii might yield a clue to cervical thyroid carcinoma, and the molecular analysis could provide valuable information for understanding the underlying mechanism, tumor clinicopathological behaviors, and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Kabootari
- Metabolic Disorders Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
- Prevention of Metabolic Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Habibi Tirtashi
- Metabolic Disorders Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Azita Zadeh-Vakili
- Endocrine Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, No. 24, Aerabi St, Daneshjoo Blv, Velenjak, P.O. Box 19395-4763, Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Zarkesh
- Cellular and Molecular Endocrine Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Samadanifard
- Department of Endocrinology, School of Medicine, Hazrat-e Rasool Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shirin Haghighi
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fereidoun Azizi
- Endocrine Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, No. 24, Aerabi St, Daneshjoo Blv, Velenjak, P.O. Box 19395-4763, Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Atieh Amouzegar
- Endocrine Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, No. 24, Aerabi St, Daneshjoo Blv, Velenjak, P.O. Box 19395-4763, Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
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Impact of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Immunophenotype on Local Aggressiveness in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Invading the Airway. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10194351. [PMID: 34640369 PMCID: PMC8509765 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10194351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary thyroid tumours show different levels of aggressiveness, from indolent to rapidly growing infiltrating malignancies. The most effective therapeutic option is surgery when radical resection is feasible. Biomarkers of aggressiveness may help in scheduling extended resections such as airway infiltration, avoiding a non-radical approach. The aim of the study is to evaluate the prognostic role of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), and CD147 in different biological behaviours. Fifty-five samples from three groups of thyroid carcinomas were stained: papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs) infiltrating the airway (PTC-A), papillary intra-thyroid carcinomas (PTC-B) and poorly differentiated or anaplastic thyroid carcinomas (PDTC/ATC). High expressions of N-cadherin and AhR were associated with higher locoregional tumour aggressiveness (p = 0.005 and p < 0.001 respectively); PDTC/ATC more frequently showed a high expression of CD147 (p = 0.011), and a trend of lower expression of E-cadherin was registered in more aggressive neoplasms. Moreover, high levels of AhR were found with recurrent/persistent diseases (p = 0.031), particularly when tumours showed a concomitant high N-cadherin expression (p = 0.043). The study suggests that knowing in advance onco-biological factors with a potential role to discriminate between different subsets of patients could help the decision-making process, providing a more solid therapeutic indication and an increased expectation for radical surgery.
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Li AY, McCusker MG, Russo A, Scilla KA, Gittens A, Arensmeyer K, Mehra R, Adamo V, Rolfo C. RET fusions in solid tumors. Cancer Treat Rev 2019; 81:101911. [PMID: 31715421 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2019.101911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2019] [Revised: 10/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The RET proto-oncogene has been well-studied. RET is involved in many different physiological and developmental functions. When altered, RET mutations influence disease in a variety of organ systems from Hirschsprung's disease and multiple endocrine neoplasia 2 (MEN2) to papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Changes in RET expression have been discovered in 30-70% of invasive breast cancers and 50-60% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas in addition to colorectal adenocarcinoma, melanoma, small cell lung cancer, neuroblastoma, and small intestine neuroendocrine tumors. RET mutations have been associated with tumor proliferation, invasion, and migration. RET fusions or rearrangements are somatic juxtapositions of 5' sequences from other genes with 3' RET sequences encoding tyrosine kinase. RET rearrangements occur in approximately 2.5-73% of sporadic PTC and 1-3% of NSCLC patients. The most common RET fusions are CDCC6-RET and NCOA4-RET in PTC and KIF5B-RET in NSCLC. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors are drugs that target kinases such as RET in RET-driven (RET-mutation or RET-fusion-positive) disease. Multikinase inhibitors (MKI) target various kinases and other receptors. Several MKIs are FDA-approved for cancer therapy (sunitinib, sorafenib, vandetanib, cabozantinib, regorafenib, ponatinib, lenvatinib, alectinib) and non-oncologic disease (nintedanib). Selective RET inhibitor drugs LOXO-292 (selpercatinib) and BLU-667 (pralsetinib) are also undergoing phase I/II and I clinical trials, respectively, with preliminary results demonstrating partial response and low incidence of serious adverse events. RET fusions provide a viable therapeutic target for oncologic treatment, and further study is warranted into the prevalence and pathogenesis of RET fusions as well as development of current and new tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Y Li
- Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, United States
| | - Michael G McCusker
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Alessandro Russo
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Medical Oncology Unit, A.O. Papardo & Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Italy
| | - Katherine A Scilla
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Allison Gittens
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Katherine Arensmeyer
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ranee Mehra
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Vincenzo Adamo
- Medical Oncology Unit, A.O. Papardo & Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Italy
| | - Christian Rolfo
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Rubio-Gómez C, Rojas W, Polo JF, Alvarado A, Chaparro D, Torres-Tobar L, Gutiérrez-Castañeda LD. Absence of RET/PTC1 rearrangement in a sample of Colombian individuals with papillary thyroid carcinoma. REVISTA DE LA FACULTAD DE MEDICINA 2019. [DOI: 10.15446/revfacmed.v67n4.64560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Papillary thyroid carcinoma is the most common endocrine neoplasm; therefore, markers with possible prognostic utility have been evaluated.Objective: To analyze the presence of RET/PTC1 rearrangement, lymphocytic thyroiditis and associated clinical features in patients with papillary thyroid cancer treated at the Hospital de San José in Bogotá, Colombia.Materials and methods: Clinical records of patients with complete thyroidectomy and diagnosis of papillary cancer were retrospectively identified. RNA was extracted from tumor tissue, and cDNA was obtained using inverse transcriptase to detect the rearrangement of the RET/PTC1 gene by means of qPCR.Results: 55 patients with papillary thyroid cancer were selected; 93% were females, and the mean age was 45.8 years. The most frequent histological variant was classic (49%). A relationship was found between lymphocytic thyroiditis and the number of positive nodes in segments other than central draining, as well as thyroiditis and antithyroid antibody value. No RET/PTC1 rearrangement expression was found.Conclusions: A relationship between lymphocytic thyroiditis and the number of positive nodes in segments other than central draining was found. Other molecular markers should be searched to differentiate the prognosis of these patients.
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Khan MS, Qadri Q, Makhdoomi MJ, Wani MA, Malik AA, Niyaz M, Masoodi SR, Andrabi KI, Ahmad R, Mudassar S. RET/PTC Gene Rearrangements in Thyroid Carcinogenesis: Assessment and Clinico-Pathological Correlations. Pathol Oncol Res 2018; 26:507-513. [PMID: 30467698 DOI: 10.1007/s12253-018-0540-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Rearranged during transfection (RET) is a proto oncogene implicated in thyroid carcinogenesis of papillary type (PTC). The RET proto-oncogene in PTC is constitutively activated by fusion of its tyrosine kinase domain with the 5 ´region of another gene thereby generating chimeric products collectively named RET/PTCs. RET/PTC1 and RET/PTC3 are best characterized among all RET/PTC rearrangements. Kashmir valley has witnessed an alarming increase in thyroid cancer incidence in young women. Therefore, we investigated the occurrence of RET/PTC 1 & 3 rearrangements by semi quantitative and qPCR in thyroid cancer patients (n = 48) of Kashmiri population and interrelated results with various clinicopathological characteristics. We observed that all the RET/PTC rearrangements were confined to PTC cases (10/40). Presence of RET/PTC rearrangement significantly correlated with gender, elevated TSH levels and lymph node metastasis. Overall, our study advocates that RET/PTC3 rearrangement is a frequent event in the carcinogenesis of thyroid gland in Kashmiri population although a study with a larger sample size is needed to get a clear scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mosin S Khan
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura, Srinagar, Kashmir, 190011, India
| | - Qurteeba Qadri
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura, Srinagar, Kashmir, 190011, India
| | - Mudasir J Makhdoomi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura, Srinagar, Kashmir, 190011, India
| | - Muneer A Wani
- Department of General and Minimal Invasive Surgery, Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura, Srinagar, 190011, India
| | - Aejaz A Malik
- Department of General and Minimal Invasive Surgery, Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura, Srinagar, 190011, India
| | - Madiha Niyaz
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura, Srinagar, Kashmir, 190011, India
| | - Shariq R Masoodi
- Department of Endocrinology, Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura, Srinagar, 190011, India
| | - Khurshid I Andrabi
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar, 190006, India
| | - Rauf Ahmad
- Department of ENT, SMHS Govt. Superspeciality Hospital, Karan Nagar, Srinagar, 190010, India
| | - Syed Mudassar
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura, Srinagar, Kashmir, 190011, India.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Gene fusions are known in many cancers as driver or passenger mutations. They play an important role in both the etiology and pathogenesis of cancer and are considered as potential diagnostic and prognostic markers and possible therapeutic targets. The spectrum and prevalence of gene fusions in thyroid cancer ranges from single cases up to 80%, depending on the specific type of cancer. During last three years, massive parallel sequencing technologies have revealed new fusions and allowed detailed characteristics of fusions in different types of thyroid cancer. SUMMARY This article reviews all known fusions and their prevalence in papillary, poorly differentiated and anaplastic, follicular, and medullary carcinomas. The mechanisms of fusion formation are described. In addition, the mechanisms of oncogenic transformation, such as altered gene expression, forced oligomerization, and subcellular localization, are given. CONCLUSION The prognostic value and perspectives of the utilization of gene fusions as therapeutic targets are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina D Yakushina
- 1 Research Centre for Medical Genetics , Moscow, Russian Federation
- 2 Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology , Moscow, Russian Federation
| | | | - Alexander V Lavrov
- 1 Research Centre for Medical Genetics , Moscow, Russian Federation
- 4 Russian National Research Medical University , Moscow, Russian Federation
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Su X, Li Z, He C, Chen W, Fu X, Yang A. Radiation exposure, young age, and female gender are associated with high prevalence of RET/PTC1 and RET/PTC3 in papillary thyroid cancer: a meta-analysis. Oncotarget 2017; 7:16716-30. [PMID: 26918339 PMCID: PMC4941346 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2015] [Accepted: 02/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background RET/PTC rearrangements have been identified as a specific genetic event in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). We conducted this meta-analysis to identify an enriched population who were more likely to occur RET/PTC fusion genes. Methods All relevant studies in the PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases were searched up to June 2015. The studies found were screened according to our inclusion and exclusion criteria. All analyses were performed using STATA software. Results Eventually, 38 eligible studies comprising 2395 participants were included. Overall analysis indicated that radiation exposure contributed to increased RET/PTC risk (OR = 2.82; 95%CI: 1.38–5.78, P = 0.005). Stratified analysis according to RET/PTC subtype and geographical area showed that this association was restricted to the RET/PTC3 subtype (OR = 8.30, 95%CI: 4.32–15.96, P < 0.001) in the Western population. In addition, age < 18 years, i.e., young age, was associated with higher prevalence of RET/PTC3 (OR = 2.03, 95%CI: 1.14–3.62, P = 0.017), especially in the radiation-exposure subpopulation (OR = 2.35, 95%CI: 1.01–5.49, P = 0.048). The association between female gender and RET/PTC1 risk was more significant in the PTC patients without radiation exposure (OR = 1.69, 95%CI: 1.04–2.74, P = 0.034). Conclusion Both radiation exposure and young age are associated with increased risk of RET/PTC3 and that female gender is associated with higher prevalence of RET/PTC1 in the subpopulation without radiation exposure. The RET/PTC status in combination with radiation exposure, age, and sex should be considered in the differential diagnosis of suspicious PTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Su
- Department of Head and Neck, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhaoqu Li
- Department of Head and Neck, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Caiyun He
- Department of Molecular Diagnostics, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weichao Chen
- Department of Head and Neck, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyan Fu
- Department of Head and Neck, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ankui Yang
- Department of Head and Neck, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
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Vuong HG, Altibi AMA, Duong UNP, Ngo HTT, Pham TQ, Tran HM, Oishi N, Mochizuki K, Nakazawa T, Hassell L, Katoh R, Kondo T. Role of molecular markers to predict distant metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma: Promising value of TERT promoter mutations and insignificant role of BRAF mutations—a meta-analysis. Tumour Biol 2017; 39:1010428317713913. [DOI: 10.1177/1010428317713913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The presence of distant metastasis is associated with an adverse outcome in papillary thyroid cancer. We performed a meta-analysis to investigate the role of molecular markers as predictors for distant metastasis in papillary thyroid cancer. Four electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Virtual Health Library were searched, and odds ratio and its 95% confidence interval concerning the association of BRAF, RAS, and TERT promoter mutations and RET/PTC rearrangements with distant metastasis were calculated using random-effects model. In total, 42 studies with 11,109 papillary thyroid cancers were included for meta-analyses. Overall, the presence of TERT promoter (odds ratio = 5.95; 95% confidence interval = 2.95–11.99), RAS mutations (odds ratio = 2.5; 95% confidence interval = 1.00–6.22), and RET/PTC rearrangements (odds ratio = 1.92; 95% confidence interval = 1.03–3.56) were found to be associated with a significantly increased risk for distant metastasis. BRAF mutations were not associated with an elevated risk for distant metastasis (odds ratio = 0.79; 95% confidence interval = 0.54–1.16). In conclusion, our study demonstrated the promising value of few molecular biomarkers, especially TERT promoter mutations in predicting distant metastasis in papillary thyroid cancers, while BRAF mutations showed no association with distant metastasis. Our study affirms the value of selected mutations for tumor risk stratification and assessment of patients’ prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huy Gia Vuong
- Department of Pathology, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
- Department of Pathology, Cho Ray Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Ahmed MA Altibi
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Uyen NP Duong
- Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Hanh TT Ngo
- Department of Pathology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Thong Quang Pham
- Department of Pathology, Cho Ray Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Hung Minh Tran
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Naoki Oishi
- Department of Pathology, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Kunio Mochizuki
- Department of Pathology, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Tadao Nakazawa
- Department of Pathology, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Lewis Hassell
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Ryohei Katoh
- Department of Pathology, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Kondo
- Department of Pathology, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
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Bastos AU, Oler G, Nozima BHN, Moysés RA, Cerutti JM. BRAF V600E and decreased NIS and TPO expression are associated with aggressiveness of a subgroup of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma. Eur J Endocrinol 2015; 173:525-40. [PMID: 26338373 DOI: 10.1530/eje-15-0254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thyroid cancer incidence has dramatically increased worldwide over the last two decades. The rise is mostly due to an increased detection of small papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs) (≤20 mm), predominantly microPTC (≤10 mm). Although small tumors generally have an excellent outcome, a considerable percentage may have a more aggressive disease and worse prognosis. The clinical challenge is to preoperatively identify those tumors that are more likely to recur. AIM To improve risk stratification and patient management, we sought to determine the prognostic value of BRAF V600E, NRAS or RET/PTC mutations in patients with PTC measuring <20 mm, mainly microPTC. METHODS The prevalence of RET/PTC fusion genes was examined by quantitative RT-PCR. BRAF V600E and NRAS Q61 mutations were determined by PCR sequencing. To further elucidate why some small PTC are less responsive to radioactive iodine treatment therapy, we explored if these genetic alterations may modulate the expression of iodine metabolism genes (NIS, TPO, TG, TSHR and PDS) and correlated with clinico-pathological findings that are predictors of recurrence. RESULTS This study shows that tumors measuring ≤20 mm exhibited higher prevalence of BRAF V600E mutation, which correlated with aggressive histopathological parameters, higher risk of recurrence, and lower expression of NIS and TPO. Although this correlation was not found when microPTC were evaluated, we show that tumors measuring 7-10 mm, which were positive for BRAF mutation, presented more aggressive features and lower expression of NIS and TPO. CONCLUSION We believe that our findings will help to decide the realistic usefulness of BRAF V600E mutation as a preoperative marker of poor prognosis in small PTC, primarily in microPTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Uchimura Bastos
- Laboratório as Bases Genéticas dos Tumores da Tiroide Disciplina de Genética, Departamento de Morfologia e Genética, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Pedro de Toledo, 669 - 11° andar, 04039-032 São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil Disciplina de Cirurgia de Cabeça e Pescoço Departamento de Cirurgia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gisele Oler
- Laboratório as Bases Genéticas dos Tumores da Tiroide Disciplina de Genética, Departamento de Morfologia e Genética, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Pedro de Toledo, 669 - 11° andar, 04039-032 São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil Disciplina de Cirurgia de Cabeça e Pescoço Departamento de Cirurgia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bruno Heidi Nakano Nozima
- Laboratório as Bases Genéticas dos Tumores da Tiroide Disciplina de Genética, Departamento de Morfologia e Genética, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Pedro de Toledo, 669 - 11° andar, 04039-032 São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil Disciplina de Cirurgia de Cabeça e Pescoço Departamento de Cirurgia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Raquel Ajub Moysés
- Laboratório as Bases Genéticas dos Tumores da Tiroide Disciplina de Genética, Departamento de Morfologia e Genética, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Pedro de Toledo, 669 - 11° andar, 04039-032 São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil Disciplina de Cirurgia de Cabeça e Pescoço Departamento de Cirurgia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Janete Maria Cerutti
- Laboratório as Bases Genéticas dos Tumores da Tiroide Disciplina de Genética, Departamento de Morfologia e Genética, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Pedro de Toledo, 669 - 11° andar, 04039-032 São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil Disciplina de Cirurgia de Cabeça e Pescoço Departamento de Cirurgia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Song YS, Lim JA, Park YJ. Mutation Profile of Well-Differentiated Thyroid Cancer in Asians. Endocrinol Metab (Seoul) 2015; 30:252-62. [PMID: 26435130 PMCID: PMC4595348 DOI: 10.3803/enm.2015.30.3.252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2015] [Revised: 08/20/2015] [Accepted: 08/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in molecular diagnostics have led to significant insights into the genetic basis of thyroid tumorigenesis. Among the mutations commonly seen in thyroid cancers, the vast majority are associated with the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. B-Raf proto-oncogene (BRAF) mutations are the most common mutations observed in papillary thyroid cancers (PTCs), followed by RET/PTC rearrangements and RAS mutations, while follicular thyroid cancers are more likely to harbor RAS mutations or PAX8/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) rearrangements. Beyond these more common mutations, alterations in the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter have recently been associated with clinicopathologic features, disease prognosis, and tumorigenesis in thyroid cancer. While the mutations underlying thyroid tumorigenesis are well known, the frequency of these mutations is strongly associated with geography, with clear differences reported between Asian and Western countries. Of particular interest is the prevalence of BRAF mutations, with Korean patients exhibiting the highest rate of BRAF-associated thyroid cancers in the world. Here, we review the prevalence of each of the most common mutations in Asian and Western countries, and identify the characteristics of well-differentiated thyroid cancer in Asians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Shin Song
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jung Ah Lim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young Joo Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
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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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12
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Abstract
Four proto-oncogenes commonly associated with well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma, rearranged during transfection (RET)/papillary thyroid cancer, BRAF, RAS, and PAX8/peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ, may carry diagnostic and prognostic significance. These oncogenes can be used to improve the diagnosis and management of well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Limited therapeutic options are available for patients with metastatic well-differentiated thyroid cancer, necessitating the development of novel therapies. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)- and RET-directed therapies such as sorafenib, motesanib, and sunitinib have been shown to be the most effective at inducing clinical responses and stabilizing the disease process. Further clinical trials of these therapeutic agents may soon change the management of thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung Guk Kim
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
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13
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Prevalence of RET/PTC1 and RET/PTC3 gene rearrangements in Chennai population and its correlation with clinical parameters. Tumour Biol 2014; 35:9539-48. [PMID: 24957039 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-014-1909-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2013] [Accepted: 03/28/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Thyroid cancer is one of the most common endocrine disorders in the world. In India, about 42 million people suffer from various thyroid disorders. However, based on population-based cancer registry (PBCR) and Chennai cancer registry, thyroid cancer is emerging as a common cancer particularly in Chennai. Papillary thyroid carcinoma is considered as the most prevalent cancer constituting about 80-85 % of thyroid malignancies. Rearranged during transfection (RET)/papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) gene rearrangements are one of the major genetic alterations found in papillary thyroid carcinoma. This present study aims at estimating the frequency of RET/PTC1 and RET/PTC3 gene rearrangements in Chennai population and investigating the correlation between RET/PTC gene expressions with clinical parameters. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor tissues obtained from 30 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma were analyzed. Initially, to differentiate classic and follicular variants of papillary thyroid carcinoma samples, immunohistochemistry was performed. Thereafter, total RNA was isolated, and quantitative evaluation of RET/PTC1 and RET/PTC3 gene rearrangements by real-time PCR was performed. Chi-square test was performed to understand the correlation between positive and negative mutations of RET/PTC messenger RNA (mRNA) expression with clinical parameters. RET/PTC3 gene rearrangements were identified in 26/30 (86.67 %) cases, and none of the patient in our series had RET/PTC1 gene rearrangements. There was no statistically significant difference observed between positive and negative mutations of RET/PTC3 mRNA expression with clinic pathological parameters. Our results indicate that RET/PTC3 gene rearrangements are the most prevalent form of rearrangements in PTCs of Chennai population.
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14
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Prognostic biomarkers in thyroid cancer. Virchows Arch 2014; 464:333-46. [PMID: 24487783 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-013-1521-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2013] [Accepted: 11/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid carcinomas represent a challenging problem from the prognostic standpoint. Despite an overall good prognosis of the most frequent endocrine malignancy, 10-15 % of papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs) turn refractory to radioactive iodine therapy. The increased incidence of thyroid cancer has led to the search for solid prognostic biomarkers that predict the behaviour of these tumours. Clinical and histopathological prognostic factors remain the only safe elements to be used for diagnosis and prognosis of patients with thyroid tumours. Despite the huge amount of genetic information of thyroid tumours, very few new markers revealed diagnostic or prognostic value per se. BRAF mutation can have some value if associated to other clinico-pathological parameters, or in the particular setting of iodine refractory tumours. Others can prove interesting in the future as predictive biomarkers of therapeutic response, but more studies are needed to confirm these potential biomarkers.
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15
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Lucchini R, Monacelli M, Santoprete S, Triola R, Conti C, Pecoriello R, Favoriti P, Di Patrizi MS, Barillaro I, Boccolini A, Avenia S, D'Ajello M, Sanguinetti A, Avenia N. Differentiated thyroid tumors: surgical indications. G Chir 2013; 34:153-7. [PMID: 23837952 DOI: 10.11138/gchir/2013.34.5.153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid gland tumors represent 1% of malignant tumors. In Italy their incidence is in constant growth. The aggressiveness depends on the histological type. The relative non-aggressive grade of different forms of tumors is the basis for discussing the treatment of choice: total thyroidectomy vs lobectomy with or without lymphadenectomy of the sixth level in the absence of metastasis. Authors report about their experience, and they advocate, given the high percentage of multicentric forms, total thyroidectomy as treatment of choice.
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16
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Gori S, Foglietta J, Rossi M, Hamzaj A, Stocchi L, Galuppo C, Picece V, Puxeddu E, Furlani L. Sunitinib therapy in metastatic papillary thyroid cancer. TUMORI JOURNAL 2013. [DOI: 10.1177/030089161309900621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
We present the case of a 51-year-old woman with a follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma. After surgery she experienced a relapse. Chemotherapy treatment led only to disease stabilization. In August 2009, we decided to start therapy with sunitinib 50 mg daily in an intermittent schedule (4 weeks on/2 weeks off). A CT scan after 3 months of treatment showed partial remission of disease according to the RE-CIST criteria. The patient continued sunitinib until January 2011, when CT evidenced progression in the mediastinal lymph nodes and pleura. Genetic analyses were carried out to determine if the clinical response in our patient was correlated with the presence of RET or BRAF mutations. No RET/PTC rearrangements or BRAF-V600E mutation, which are the two most common genetic alterations detected in papillary thyroid carcinoma, were found. It can be hypothesized that the activity of sunitinib in this patient was due to its antiangiogenic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Gori
- Medical Oncology Department, Sacro Cuore-Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar
| | - Jennifer Foglietta
- Medical Oncology Department, S Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia
| | - Marta Rossi
- Medical Oncology Department, S Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia
| | - Alketa Hamzaj
- Medical Oncology Department, S Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia
| | - Lucia Stocchi
- Medical Oncology Department, S Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia
| | - Carla Galuppo
- Radiology Service 2, S Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia
| | - Vincenzo Picece
- Medical Oncology Department, Sacro Cuore-Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar
| | - Efisio Puxeddu
- Internal Medicine Department, Perugia University, Perugia
| | - Lino Furlani
- Endocrinology Service, Sacro Cuore-Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, Italy
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17
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Romei C, Elisei R. RET/PTC Translocations and Clinico-Pathological Features in Human Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2012; 3:54. [PMID: 22654872 PMCID: PMC3356050 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2012.00054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2012] [Accepted: 03/26/2012] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Thyroid carcinoma is the most frequent endocrine cancer accounting for 5-10% of thyroid nodules. Papillary histotype (PTC) is the most prevalent form accounting for 80% of all thyroid carcinoma. Although much is known about its epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical, and biological behavior, the only documented risk factor for PTC is the ionizing radiation exposure. Rearrangements of the Rearranged during Transfection (RET) proto-oncogene are found in PTC and have been shown to play a pathogenic role. The first RET rearrangement, named RET/PTC, was discovered in 1987. This rearrangement constitutively activates the transcription of the RET tyrosine-kinase domain in follicular cell, thus triggering the signaling along the MAPK pathway and an uncontrolled proliferation. Up to now, 13 different types of RET/PTC rearrangements have been reported but the two most common are RET/PTC1 and RET/PTC3. Ionizing radiations are responsible for the generation of RET/PTC rearrangements, as supported by in vitro studies and by the evidence that RET/PTC, and particularly RET/PTC3, are highly prevalent in radiation induced PTC. However, many thyroid tumors without any history of radiation exposure harbor similar RET rearrangements. The overall prevalence of RET/PTC rearrangements varies from 20 to 70% of PTCs and they are more frequent in childhood than in adulthood thyroid cancer. Controversial data have been reported on the relationship between RET/PTC rearrangements and the PTC prognosis. RET/PTC3 is usually associated with a more aggressive phenotype and in particular with a greater tumor size, the solid variant, and a more advanced stage at diagnosis which are all poor prognostic factors. In contrast, RET/PTC1 rearrangement does not correlate with any clinical-pathological characteristics of PTC. Moreover, the RET protein and mRNA expression level did not show any correlation with the outcome of patients with PTC and no correlation between RET/PTC rearrangements and the expression level of the thyroid differentiation genes was observed. Recently, a diagnostic role of RET/PTC rearrangements has been proposed. It can be searched for in the mRNA extracted from cytological sample especially in case with indeterminate cytology. However, both the fact that it can be present in a not negligible percentage of benign cases and the technical challenge in extracting mRNA from cytological material makes this procedure not applicable at routine level, at least for the moment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Romei
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, WHO Collaborating Center for the Study and Treatment of Thyroid Diseases and Other Endocrine and Metabolic DisordersUniversity of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rossella Elisei
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, WHO Collaborating Center for the Study and Treatment of Thyroid Diseases and Other Endocrine and Metabolic DisordersUniversity of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- *Correspondence: Rossella Elisei, Department of Endocrinology, University of Pisa, Via Paradisa 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy. e-mail:
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18
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Menicali E, Moretti S, Voce P, Romagnoli S, Avenia N, Puxeddu E. Intracellular signal transduction and modification of the tumor microenvironment induced by RET/PTCs in papillary thyroid carcinoma. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2012; 3:67. [PMID: 22661970 PMCID: PMC3357465 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2012.00067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2012] [Accepted: 04/30/2012] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
RET gene rearrangements (RET/PTCs) represent together with BRAF point mutations the two major groups of mutations involved in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) initiation and progression. In this review, we will examine the mechanisms involved in RET/PTC-induced thyroid cell transformation. In detail, we will summarize the data on the molecular mechanisms involved in RET/PTC formation and in its function as a dominant oncogene, on the activated signal transduction pathways and on the induced gene expression modifications. Moreover, we will report on the effects of RET/PTCs on the tumor microenvironment. Finally, a short review of the literature on RET/PTC prognostic significance will be presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Menicali
- Dipartimento di Medicina, University of PerugiaPerugia, Italy
- Centro di Proteomica e Genomica della Tiroide, University of PerugiaPerugia and Terni, Italy
| | - Sonia Moretti
- Dipartimento di Medicina, University of PerugiaPerugia, Italy
- Centro di Proteomica e Genomica della Tiroide, University of PerugiaPerugia and Terni, Italy
| | - Pasquale Voce
- Dipartimento di Medicina, University of PerugiaPerugia, Italy
- Centro di Proteomica e Genomica della Tiroide, University of PerugiaPerugia and Terni, Italy
| | | | - Nicola Avenia
- Centro di Proteomica e Genomica della Tiroide, University of PerugiaPerugia and Terni, Italy
- Dipartimento di Chirurgia, University of PerugiaPerugia, Italy
| | - Efisio Puxeddu
- Dipartimento di Medicina, University of PerugiaPerugia, Italy
- Centro di Proteomica e Genomica della Tiroide, University of PerugiaPerugia and Terni, Italy
- *Correspondence: Efisio Puxeddu, Dipartimento di Medicina, Sezione MIENDO, Via Enrico dal Pozzo – Padiglione X, 06126 Perugia, Italy. e-mail:
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19
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Marotta V, Guerra A, Sapio MR, Vitale M. RET/PTC rearrangement in benign and malignant thyroid diseases: a clinical standpoint. Eur J Endocrinol 2011; 165:499-507. [PMID: 21750045 DOI: 10.1530/eje-11-0499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Cytological examination of fine needle aspiration biopsy is the primary means for distinguishing benign from malignant nodules. However, as inconclusive cytology is very frequent, the introduction of molecular markers in the preoperative diagnosis of thyroid nodules has been proposed in recent years. In this article, we review the clinical implications of preoperative detection of rearrangements of the RET gene (RET/papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC)) in thyroid nodules. The prevalence of RET/PTC in PTC depends on the histological subtypes, geographical factors, radiation exposure, and detection method. Initially, RET/PTC was considered an exclusive PTC hallmark and later it was also found sporadically in benign thyroid lesions. More recently, the very sensitive detection methods, interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and Southern blot on RT-PCR amplicons, demonstrated that the oligoclonal occurrence of RET rearrangement in benign thyroid lesions is not a rare event and suggested that it could be associated with a faster enlargement in benign nodules. For this reason, RET/PTC cannot be considered as an absolute marker of PTC, and its diagnostic application must be limited to assays able to distinguish between clonal and oligoclonal expression. Detection of RET/PTC by quantitative assays will be useful for diagnostic purposes in cytology specimens when a precise cutoff will be fixed in a clinical setting. Until that time, less sensitive RET/PTC detection methods and FISH analysis remain the most appropriate means to refine inconclusive cytology. Future studies with a long follow-up will further clarify the clinical significance of low level of RET rearrangements in benign nodules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Marotta
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Endocrinology and Oncology, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
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20
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Abstract
Cancer gender disparity in incidence, disease aggressiveness and prognosis has been observed in a variety of cancers. Thyroid cancer is one of the fastest growing cancer diagnoses worldwide. It is 2.9-times more common in women than men. The less aggressive histologic subtypes of thyroid cancer are more common in women, whereas the more aggressive histologic subtypes have similar gender distribution. The gender disparity in incidence, aggressiveness and prognosis is well established for thyroid cancer but the cause of the disparity is poorly understood. The aim of this article is to evaluate the current evidence on the cause of thyroid cancer gender disparity. Dietary and environmental factors do not appear to have a significant role in thyroid cancer gender disparity. Common somatic mutations in BRAF, rearranged in transformation/papillary thyroid carcinomas (RET/PTC) and neurotrophin receptor-tyrosine kinase (NTRK) also do not account for the gender disparity in thyroid cancer. While reproductive factors would seem a logical hypothesis to account for the gender disparity, there appears to be no conclusive effect on the risk of developing thyroid cancer. Recent studies on estrogen receptor status in thyroid cancer show a difference in the receptor subtypes expressed based on the histology of thyroid cancer. Moreover, the response to estrogen is dependent on the specific estrogen receptor expressed in thyroid cancer cells. However, what determines the tumor-specific sex hormone receptor expression is unclear. No established molecular factors appear to explain gender differences in thyroid cancer. Therefore, the application of high-throughput genomic and proteomic approaches to the study of thyroid cancer gender disparity could be helpful for better understanding the molecular basis for gender differences in thyroid and other cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Rahbari
- Endocrine Oncology Section, Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute, MD, USA
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21
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Nucera C, Nehs MA, Nagarkatti SS, Sadow PM, Mekel M, Fischer AH, Lin PS, Bollag GE, Lawler J, Hodin RA, Parangi S. Targeting BRAFV600E with PLX4720 displays potent antimigratory and anti-invasive activity in preclinical models of human thyroid cancer. Oncologist 2011; 16:296-309. [PMID: 21355020 PMCID: PMC3073446 DOI: 10.1634/theoncologist.2010-0317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE B-Raf(V600E) may play a role in the progression from papillary thyroid cancer to anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC). We tested the effects of a highly selective B-Raf(V600E) inhibitor, PLX4720, on proliferation, migration, and invasion both in human thyroid cancer cell lines (8505c(B-RafV600E) and TPC-1(RET/PTC-1 and wild-type B-Raf)) and in primary human normal thyroid (NT) follicular cells engineered with or without B-Raf(V600E). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Large-scale genotyping analysis by mass spectrometry was performed in order to analyze >900 gene mutations. Cell proliferation and migration/invasion were performed upon PLX4720 treatment in 8505c, TPC-1, and NT cells. Orthotopic implantation of either 8505c or TPC-1 cells into the thyroid of severe combined immunodeficient mice was performed. Gene validations were performed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS We found that PLX4720 reduced in vitro cell proliferation and migration and invasion of 8505c cells, causing early downregulation of genes involved in tumor progression. PLX4720-treated NT cells overexpressing B-Raf(V600E) (heterozygous wild-type B-Raf/B-Raf(V600E)) showed significantly lower cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. PLX4720 treatment did not block cell invasion in TPC-1 cells with wild-type B-Raf, which showed very low and delayed in vivo tumor growth. In vivo, PLX4720 treatment of 8505c orthotopic thyroid tumors inhibited tumor aggressiveness and significantly upregulated the thyroid differentiation markers thyroid transcription factor 1 and paired box gene 8. CONCLUSIONS Here, we have shown that PLX4720 preferentially inhibits migration and invasion of B-Raf(V600E) thyroid cancer cells and tumor aggressiveness. Normal thyroid cells were generated to be heterozygous for wild-type B-Raf/B-Raf(V600E), mimicking the condition found in most human thyroid cancers. PLX4720 was effective in reducing cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in this heterozygous model. PLX4720 therapy should be tested and considered for a phase I study for the treatment of patients with B-Raf(V600E) ATC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmelo Nucera
- Thyroid Cancer Research Laboratory, Endocrine Surgery Unit, and
- Division of Cancer Biology and Angiogenesis, Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Matthew A. Nehs
- Thyroid Cancer Research Laboratory, Endocrine Surgery Unit, and
| | | | - Peter M. Sadow
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michal Mekel
- Thyroid Cancer Research Laboratory, Endocrine Surgery Unit, and
| | - Andrew H. Fischer
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Jack Lawler
- Division of Cancer Biology and Angiogenesis, Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Sareh Parangi
- Thyroid Cancer Research Laboratory, Endocrine Surgery Unit, and
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22
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Molecular rearrangements in papillary thyroid carcinomas. Clin Chim Acta 2009; 411:301-8. [PMID: 19958753 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2009.11.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2009] [Revised: 11/09/2009] [Accepted: 11/26/2009] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Papillary thyroid cancer is unusual among epithelial malignancies in that it is associated with a number of chromosomal rearrangements. The most common of these is the Ret oncogene, normally silent in the follicular cell, but which has been shown to be rearranged to the promoter region of a variety of different genes, all of which are constituently expressed in the thyroid follicular cell. It has been suggested that chromosomes in the thyroid cell are arranged within the nucleus in such a way as to predispose the cell to inappropriate fusion in the advent of DNA double-strand breakage. The presence of tumour specific fusion genes, and their transcribed proteins, presents a possible therapeutic target for thyroid cancer, but the relative contribution of the gene rearrangement in the growth and development of the tumour will need careful evaluation before clinical studies could take place.
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Vía de señalización dependiente de la proteincinasa de activación mitogénica en el carcinoma papilar de tiroides. De las bases moleculares a la práctica clínica. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 56:176-86. [DOI: 10.1016/s1575-0922(09)70982-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2009] [Accepted: 03/18/2009] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Camacho CP, Latini FRM, Oler G, Hojaij FC, Maciel RMB, Riggins GJ, Cerutti JM. Down-regulation of NR4A1 in follicular thyroid carcinomas is restored following lithium treatment. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2009; 70:475-83. [PMID: 18727708 PMCID: PMC2742303 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2008.03349.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The identification of follicular thyroid adenoma-associated transcripts will lead to a better understanding of the events involved in pathogenesis and progression of follicular tumours. Using Serial Analysis of Gene Expression, we identified five genes that are absent in a malignant follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) library, but expressed in follicular adenoma (FTA) and normal thyroid libraries. METHODS NR4A1, one of the five genes, was validated in a set of 27 normal thyroid tissues, 10 FTAs and 14 FTCs and three thyroid carcinoma cell lines by real time PCR. NR4A1 can be transiently increased by a variety of stimuli, including lithium, which is used as adjuvant therapy of thyroid carcinoma with (131)I. We tested if lithium could restore NR4A1 expression. The expression of other genes potentially involved in the same signalling pathway was tested. To this end, lithium was used at different concentration (10 mm or 20 mm) and time (2 h and 24 h) and the level of expression was tested by quantitative PCR. We next tested if Lithium could affect cell growth and apoptosis. RESULTS We observed that NR4A1 expression was under-expressed in most of the FTCs investigated, compared with expression in normal thyroid tissues and FTAs. We also found a positive correlation between NR4A1 and FOSB gene expression. Lithium induced NR4A1 and FOSB expression, reduced CCDN1 expression, inhibited cell growth and triggered apoptosis in a FTC cell line. CONCLUSIONS NR4A1 is under-expressed in most of FTCs. The loss of expression of both NR4A1 and the Wnt pathway gene FOSB was correlated with malignancy. This is consistent with the hypothesis that its loss of expression is part of the transformation process of FTCs, either as a direct or indirect consequence of Wnt pathway alterations. Lithium restores NR4A1 expression, induces apoptosis and reduces cell growth. These findings may explain a possible molecular mechanism of lithium's therapeutic action.
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MESH Headings
- Adenocarcinoma, Follicular/drug therapy
- Adenocarcinoma, Follicular/metabolism
- Adenocarcinoma, Follicular/pathology
- Adenoma/drug therapy
- Adenoma/metabolism
- Adenoma/pathology
- Apoptosis/drug effects
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Proliferation/drug effects
- Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
- Cyclin D1/genetics
- Cyclin D1/metabolism
- DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics
- DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Down-Regulation/drug effects
- Humans
- Lithium Compounds/pharmacology
- Lithium Compounds/therapeutic use
- Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 1
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos/genetics
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos/metabolism
- Receptors, Steroid/genetics
- Receptors, Steroid/metabolism
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- Thyroid Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Thyroid Neoplasms/metabolism
- Thyroid Neoplasms/pathology
- Wnt Proteins/genetics
- Wnt Proteins/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Cléber P Camacho
- Genetic Bases of Thyroid Tumors Laboratory, Division of Genetics, Department of Morphology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Trovisco V, Soares P, Preto A, Castro P, Máximo V, Sobrinho-Simões M. Molecular genetics of papillary thyroid carcinoma: great expectations. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 51:643-53. [PMID: 17891228 DOI: 10.1590/s0004-27302007000500002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2007] [Accepted: 02/23/2007] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most prevalent type of endocrine cancer and, in recent epidemiological surveys, one of the types of human cancer whose incidence is growing. Despite the favourable outcome and long survival rates of most patients, some tumours display an aggressive behaviour and may progress to the highly aggressive and lethal, anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. In recent years, several progresses have been made on the molecular characterization of PTC, in general, and in the genetic alterations underlying the histotype diversity of this type of cancer, in particular. This holds true regarding alterations on nuclear DNA as well as mitochondrial DNA. In this review we have summarized the most recent findings in the genetic characterization of PTC, giving a particular emphasis to the genotype-phenotype associations, the prognosis implications, and the diagnostic and therapeutic value of the newly identified genetic markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vítor Trovisco
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, Medical Faculty, University of Porto, and Hospital São João, Portugal
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Imkamp F, von Wasielewski R, Musholt TJ, Musholt PB. Rearrangement Analysis in Archival Thyroid Tissues: Punching Microdissection and Artificial RET/PTC 1–12 Transcripts. J Surg Res 2007; 143:350-63. [PMID: 17655865 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2006.10.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2006] [Accepted: 10/19/2006] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In few papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC) and oxyphilic thyroid carcinoma, the clinical impact of the 15 known RET hybrid oncogene variants (RET/PTC 1 to 12, 1L, 3r2, 3r3) is subject to controversial discussions. Large patient cohorts and exploitation of pathological thyroid tissue archives are essential to study the prognostic significance of RET/PTC chimeras. MATERIALS AND METHODS Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded thyroid neoplasms were subjected to manual punching macrodissection and subsequent extraction of total RNA. Following reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-based screening for RET rearrangements, hybrid-specific expression analyses were carried out for samples indicative of chimeric transcripts. Due to lack of tissue specimen harboring the rare RET chimeras, artificially constructed hybrid sequences of all known RET/PTC variants served as PCR controls. RESULTS Manual punching dissection successfully diminished RET wild-type contamination originating from C-cells dispersed throughout normal thyroid tissues. The average amount of 27.4 mug RNA extracted allowed for repeated molecular analyses (>60 PCRs). Hybrid-specific expression analysis identified 10 of 15 RET rearrangements (8x RET/PTC 1, 2x RET/PTC 3, 5x RET/PTC x) to be found in 54 oxyphilic thyroid tumors examined. Successful amplification of each artificial hybrid sequence ensured the absence of rare chimeric transcripts. Therefore, RET/PTC x represent either common chimeras not amplifiable due to archival RNA degradation or truly novel hybrid oncoproducts. CONCLUSIONS The fast and simple techniques described here were used to examine oxyphilic carcinomas and adenomas. These microdissection and RT-PCR procedures can easily be put into practice in any molecular biology research laboratory to enable screening of large numbers of archival thyroid tumors for known as well as yet unknown RET rearrangements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Imkamp
- Department of Urology, Hannover University Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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27
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Pizzolanti G, Russo L, Richiusa P, Bronte V, Nuara RB, Rodolico V, Amato MC, Smeraldi L, Sisto PS, Nucera M, Bommarito A, Citarrella R, Lo Coco R, Cabibi D, Lo Coco A, Frasca F, Gulotta G, Latteri MA, Modica G, Galluzzo A, Giordano C. Fine-needle aspiration molecular analysis for the diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma through BRAF V600E mutation and RET/PTC rearrangement. Thyroid 2007; 17:1109-15. [PMID: 17727338 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2007.0008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate BRAF(V600E) mutation on consecutive fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) specimens in order to assess FNAB's usefulness in preoperative papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) diagnosis with the contemporaneous analysis of RET/PTC1 and RET/PTC3 rearrangements obtained from ex vivo thyroid nodules. DESIGN Thyroid FNABs from 156 subjects with nodules and 49 corresponding surgical samples were examined for the presence of BRAF mutation by real-time allele-specific polymerase chain reaction, confirmed with the use of a laser pressure catapulting system. Samples were also examined for RET/PTC rearrangements. The results were compared with the cytological diagnosis and histopathology. MAIN OUTCOMES 13/156 cytological examinations were diagnostic for PTC and 19/156 showed suspicious/indeterminate FNAB (12.2%). FNAB-BRAF(V600E) mutation was detected in 11/16 (69%) cases with histological confirmation of PTC. In our series, RET/PTC rearrangement was detected in only one case of PTC, whereas it was not present in any case of adenoma, goiter, or Hashimoto's thyroiditis. No PTC case was found positive at the same time for BRAF mutation and RET/PTC rearrangements. CONCLUSION BRAF(V600E) mutation detected on FNAB specimens, more than RET/PTC rearrangements, is highly specific for PTC and its routine research might well be an adjunctive and integrative diagnostic tool for the preoperative diagnostic iter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Pizzolanti
- Endocrinology Section, Department of Experimental Oncology and Clinical Applications, University of Palermo, Piazza del Cliniche 2, Palermo, Italy
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Fusco A, Santoro M. 20 years of RET/PTC in thyroid cancer: clinico-pathological correlations. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 51:731-5. [PMID: 17891236 DOI: 10.1590/s0004-27302007000500010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2007] [Accepted: 03/05/2007] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The RET/PTC oncogene has been isolated almost twenty years ago. During these years, the research has given a final answer to several questions. In fact, it has been demonstrated that: a) RET/PTC is an early event in the process of thyroid carcinogenesis and has a critical role in the generation of the papillary carcinoma; b) RET/PTC activation is essentially restricted to the papillary histotype and to the Hürthle thyroid tumors; c) its incidence increases after exposure to radiations. However, some questions have not found a final answer yet: a) which is the real frequency of RET/PTC activation? Likely it is around 20%, but this point is still questionable; b) which other gene modifications are required to lead a thyroid cell carrying a RET/PTC oncogene to the malignant phenotype?, and c) is there any correlation between RET/PTC activation and clinical parameters? We hope that these questions will have a clear answer in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo Fusco
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Patologia Cellulare e Molecolare, Istituto di Endocrinologia ed Oncologia Sperimentale, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia di Napoli, Università degli Studi di Napoli, Naples, Italy.
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de Groot JWB, Links TP, Plukker JTM, Lips CJM, Hofstra RMW. RET as a diagnostic and therapeutic target in sporadic and hereditary endocrine tumors. Endocr Rev 2006; 27:535-60. [PMID: 16849421 DOI: 10.1210/er.2006-0017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 227] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The RET gene encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase that is expressed in neural crest-derived cell lineages. The RET receptor plays a crucial role in regulating cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, and survival through embryogenesis. Activating mutations in RET lead to the development of several inherited and noninherited diseases. Germline point mutations are found in the cancer syndromes multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type 2, including MEN 2A and 2B, and familial medullary thyroid carcinoma. These syndromes are autosomal dominantly inherited. The identification of mutations associated with these syndromes has led to genetic testing to identify patients at risk for MEN 2 and familial medullary thyroid carcinoma and subsequent implementation of prophylactic thyroidectomy in mutation carriers. In addition, more than 10 somatic rearrangements of RET have been identified from papillary thyroid carcinomas. These mutations, as those found in MEN 2, induce oncogenic activation of the RET tyrosine kinase domain via different mechanisms, making RET an excellent candidate for the design of molecular targeted therapy. Recently, various kinds of therapeutic approaches, such as tyrosine kinase inhibition, gene therapy with dominant negative RET mutants, monoclonal antibodies against oncogene products, and nuclease-resistant aptamers that recognize and inhibit RET have been developed. The use of these strategies in preclinical models has provided evidence that RET is indeed a potential target for selective cancer therapy. However, a clinically useful therapeutic option for treating patients with RET-associated cancer is still not available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Willem B de Groot
- Department of Endocrinology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
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Brzeziańska E, Karbownik M, Migdalska-Sek M, Pastuszak-Lewandoska D, Włoch J, Lewiński A. Molecular analysis of the RET and NTRK1 gene rearrangements in papillary thyroid carcinoma in the Polish population. Mutat Res 2006; 599:26-35. [PMID: 16483615 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrfmmm.2005.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2005] [Revised: 12/22/2005] [Accepted: 12/29/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Among different genetic factors involved in the pathogenesis of the papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), rearrangements of RET protooncogene (RET/PTC), as well as rearrangements of NTRK1 protooncogene are best known. The resulting hybrid oncogenes are found in PTCs with variable frequency, depending on the examined population. The relationship between these chromosomal aberrations and clinical outcome of PTCs remains still controversial. The study aimed at estimating the frequency of rearrangements of RET and/or NTRK1 protooncogenes in PTC in the Polish population, and at evaluating the possible relationships between the presence of RET and/or NTRK1 oncogenes and such parameters, as patient's age, gender, histopathological variant of tumor and clinical staging. Expression analysis of RET and NTRK1 was performed by duplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (duplex RT-PCR) and OneStep RT-PCR, respectively, in tumor tissues obtained from 33 patients with PTC. Rearrangements of the RET protooncogene (RET/PTC1, RET/PTC2 and RET/PTC3) were detected in 7 out of 33 PTC (21%), and rearrangements of NTRK1 [Trk-T1 and Trk(TPM3)] were detected in 4 out of 33 examined samples (12%). In none of the examined cases, did the RET and NTRK1 rearrangements occur in the same sample. No correlations were found between RET/PTC or Trk oncogenic sequences and patient's age, gender, the histopathological variant of PTC and the assignment to particular stage in clinical staging systems (TNM Staging, the University of Chicago clinical class, and Ohio State University Staging). Our study is the first one in which the frequency of NTRK1 rearrangements in PTC was reported for the Polish population. On the other hand, the frequency of RET rearrangements in PTC, as found by us, was similar to the previously reported results for the Polish population. Our results do not confirm the relationship between the structural aberrations in question and the clinical outcome of PTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Brzeziańska
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Medical University of Lodz, Poland
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Abstract
The beta-catenin pathway has been conclusively demonstrated to regulate differentiation and patterning in multiple model systems. In thyroid cancer, alterations are often seen in proteins that regulate beta-catenin, including those of the RAS, PI3K/AKT, and peroxisome proliferation activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) pathways, and evidence from the literature suggests that beta-catenin may play a direct role in the dedifferentiation commonly observed in late-stage disease. RET/PTC rearrangements are frequent in thyroid cancer and appear to be exclusive from mutational events in RAS and BRAF. Activation of AKT by phosphatidylinositide-3 kinase (PI3K), a RAS effector, results in GSK3beta phosphorylation and deactivation and subsequent beta-catenin upregulation in thyroid cancer. Activating mutations in beta-catenin, which have been demonstrated in late-stage thyroid tumors, correlate with beta-catenin nuclear localization and poor prognosis. We hypothesize that activation of the RAS, PI3K/AKT, and PPARgamma pathways ultimately impinges upon beta-catenin. We further propose that if mutations in BRAF, RAS, and RET/PTC rearrangements are mutually exclusive in certain thyroid tumors or tumor types, as has already been shown for papillary thyroid cancer, then these interconnected pathways may cooperate in the initiation and promotion of the disease. We believe that clinical benefit for thyroid cancer patients could be derived from disrupting the middle or distal pathway effectors of these pathways, such as AKT or beta-catenin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip H Abbosh
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Medical Sciences, Bloomington, Indiana, USA.
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Rha SY, Lee JC, Kwon KH, Lee HJ, Kim KS, Jo YS, Ku BJ, Shong M, Kim YK, Ro HK. The Relationship between the BRAF Mutations in Thyroid Papillary Carcinomas and the Prognostic Factors. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005. [DOI: 10.3803/jkes.2005.20.3.224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- So-Young Rha
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Jun-Chul Lee
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Ki-Hyun Kwon
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Hyo-Jin Lee
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Koon-Soon Kim
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Young-Suk Jo
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Bon-Jeong Ku
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Minho Shong
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Young-Kun Kim
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Heung-Kyu Ro
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
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Rhoden KJ, Johnson C, Brandao G, Howe JG, Smith BR, Tallini G. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR identifies distinct c-RET, RET/PTC1 and RET/PTC3 expression patterns in papillary thyroid carcinoma. J Transl Med 2004; 84:1557-70. [PMID: 15502856 DOI: 10.1038/labinvest.3700198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
RET/PTC1 and RET/PTC3 are the markers for papillary thyroid carcinoma. Their reported prevalence varies broadly. Nonrearranged c-RET has also been detected in a variable proportion of papillary carcinomas. The published data suggest that a wide range in expression levels may contribute to the different frequency of c-RET and, particularly, of RET/PTC detection. However, quantitative expression analysis has never been systematically carried out. We have analyzed by real-time RT-PCR 25 papillary carcinoma and 12 normal thyroid samples for RET/PTC1, RET/PTC3 and for RET exons 10-11 and 12-13, which are adjacent to the rearrangement site. The variability in mRNA levels was marked and four carcinoma groups were identified: one lacking RET/PTC rearrangement with balanced RET exon levels similar to those of the normal samples (7/25 cases, 28%), the second (6/25 cases, 24%) with balanced RET expression and very low levels of RET/PTC1, the third with unbalanced RET exons 10-11 and 12-13 expression, high RET/PTC1 levels but no RET/PTC3 (7/25 cases, 28%), and the fourth with unbalanced RET expression, high RET/PTC1 levels and low levels of RET/PTC3 (5/25 cases, 20%). Papillary carcinomas with high RET/PTC1 expression showed an association trend for large tumor size (P=0.063). Our results indicate that the variability in c-RET and RET/PTC mRNA levels contributes to the apparent inconsistencies in their reported detection rates and should be taken into account not only for diagnostic purposes but also to better understand the role of c-RET activation in thyroid tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerry J Rhoden
- JB Pierce Laboratory, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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