Expression of CD44 and cyclin D1 in fine needle aspiration cytology of papillary thyroid carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the expression pattern of CD44 and cyclin D1 immunostaining in fine needle aspiration specimens of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid and nonpapillary lesions.


METHODS
The study was performed on 80 fine needle aspiration cytologic smears of thyroid lesion retrospectively using monoclonal antibodies and on histologic material from a proportion of cases.


RESULTS
Most papillary carcinomas expressed intense cell membrane or diffuse cytoplasmic staining for CD44 (97.8%). Focal immunoreactivity was observed in follicular neoplasms (28.5%) and nodular goiter (4.7%). There was no difference in CD44 immunostaining between follicular carcinoma and adenoma. Cyclin D1 was expressed in the nuclei of most papillary carcinomas (79.2%). Focal nuclear immunoreactivity was noted in nodular goiters (23.5%) and follicular neoplasms (10%). In resected specimens, all papillary carcinomas (19 cases) showed intense membranous or granular CD44 immunoreactivity. Focal cyclin D1 expression was noted in 52.6%. There was no difference in CD44 and cyclin D1 expression between the group of papillary carcinomas with regional lymph node metastasis as compared to those without metastasis. Positive staining for both CD44 and cyclin D1 would strongly favor papillary carcinoma, although further studies on cytologic material are necessary to verify this diagnostic approach.


CONCLUSIONS
Most papillary carcinomas express CD44 and cyclin D1, whereas it is less common in follicular neoplasms and nodular goiter. This may be helpful in diagnostically difficult cases.
Kim
Jung Yeon
JY
Departments of Pathology, Internal Medicine and Surgery, Inje University, Sanggye Paik Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
Cho
Hyejae
H
Rhee
Byoung Doo
BD
Kim
Hong-Yong
HY
D018263:Adenocarcinoma, Follicular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D019938:Cyclin D1 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006044:Goiter, Nodular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D007118:Immunoassay; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors; D019938:Cyclin D1