Low level of cyclin D1 protein expression in thyroid microcarcinomas from an autopsy series.
In a recent epidemiological screening study in an autopsy series, we found a high prevalence of microcarcinomas (MCs) (21/443 = 4.74%). We found no iodine intake-, gender-, or age-dependent differences in the prevalence of MCs. The results suggest a different and benign behavior of MCs compared to clinical cancer. The role of cyclin D1 overexpression in the pathogenesis of thyroid tumors is not known clearly; however, overexpression of this protein was reported in well-differentiated papillary cancers and in incidentally found metastasizing MCs. To date, cyclin D1 expression has not been investigated in autopsy-derived thyroid MCs. Eight MCs were available for immunostaining and comparison with 15 clinically detected papillary thyroid cancers. Fourteen out of 15 clinical carcinomas expressed cyclin D1 (93.3%), while in the MCs this ratio was 1 out of 8 (12.5%) (p = 0.0001). The only cyclin D1-positive MC was multifocal (both lobes of the gland were affected). We concluded that the benign behavior of most autopsy-derived MCs may be associated with the lack of cyclin D1 overexpression.
Kovacs
Gabor Laszlo
GL
National Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Budapest, Hungary. g.kovacs@freemail.hu
Stelkovics
Eva
E
Krenacs
Laszlo
L
Gonda
Gabor
G
Goth
Miklos
M
Kovacs
Laszlo
L
Gorombey
Zoltan
Z
Hubina
Erika
E
Szabolcs
Istvan
I
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D019938:Cyclin D1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D019938:Cyclin D1