[Detection of malignancy markers in thyroid nodules by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)].
BACKGROUND
Nodular thyroid disease is a very common disorder with a low frequency of malignancy. The most accurate diagnostic test is fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of nodules with cytological analysis of the sample. However, this procedure has some limitations in the diagnosis of follicular and papillary thyroid carcinoma.


OBJECTIVE
To detect mRNA from specific malignancy markers in thyroid nodules and to evaluate their potential correlation with cytological and pathological diagnosis.


METHODS
In 20 patients with thyroid nodules FNAB was performed prior to surgery. The main part of the FNAB sample was used to perform classical cytology. In the remaining of the sample were detected MUC-1, CD26, galectin-3 and TSH receptor mRNAs by RT-PCR technique.


RESULTS
Eight patients had positive cytology for papillary cancer, which was confirmed by pathology. Nine had suspicious or non conclusive cytological findings and 3 were negative for neoplastic cells; all 12 were pathologically benign. We detected TSH receptor and galectin-3 mRNA in almost all benign and malignant nodules. MUC-1 was present in 5/8 papillary carcinoma (62.5%), and 1/12 benign nodules (8.3%). CD26 was detected in 7/8 papillary carcinomas but also in 8/12 benign nodules.


CONCLUSIONS
RT-PCR can be performed in very small samples of thyroid tissue to detect several mRNA markers. MUC-1 can be a potentially useful marker of malignancy in thyroid nodules. It can be detected by RT-PCR as a complementary technique in the diagnostic evaluation of thyroid nodules.
Pineda
Pedro
P
Sección Endocrinología, Departamento de Medicina, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile. ppineda@ns.hospital.uchile.cl
Rojas
Paula
P
Liberman
Claudio
C
Moyano
Leonor
L
Goecke
Irmgadt
I
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D012333:RNA, Messenger