[Significance of galectin-3 and CD44v6 expression in differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the difference of galectin-3 and CD44v6 expression between benign and malignant thyroid nodules, and to evaluate their clinical value in distinguishing thyroid cancer from benign thyroid nodules.


METHODS
The expression of galectin-3 and CD44v6 was immunohistochemically detected by the ABC method in 143 benign and malignant thyroid nodule samples.


RESULTS
Expression of these two markers in benign thyroid nodules: galectin-3 was negative in 10 cases of para-cancer normal tissue and 14 cases of benign nodules found in the other benign thyroid disease. It was weakly positive in 4 of 52 nodular goiter (7.7%). Also it was weakly positive in 2 of 22 follicular adenomas (9.1%). But all three eosinophilic follicular adenomas were diffusely or focally positive for galectin-3. CD44v6 was negative in 10 cases of para-cancer normal tissue, but positive in 4 of 14 nodular lesions found in benign thyroid diseases (28.6%). It was also positive in 16 of 52 nodular goiters (30.8%), and weakly positive in 7 of 22 follicular adenomas (31.8%). The two markers in malignant lesions: galectin-3 was positive in 50 of 52 thyroid adenocarcinoma (96.2%), CD44v6 was positive in 42 of 52 thyroid adenocarcinoma (80.8%). The positive rate of galectin-3 and CD44v6 expression in thyroid cancer was significantly higher than that in benign thyroid nodule and normal tissue (P < 0.001). The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of galectin-3 combined with CD44v6 in differentiating benign from malignant thyroid nodule were 80.8%, 93.4%, 88.8%; they were 96.2%, 90.1%, 92.3% for Galectin-3 alone.


CONCLUSIONS
The immunohistochemical expression of galectin-3 and CD44v6 by the ABC method is significantly higher in thyroid cancers than in benign thyroid nodules, especially galectin-3 in thyrocyte being helpful in differentiating benign thyroid nodule from thyroid cancer.
Wang
Li-hua
LH
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ruijin Hospital, Second Shanghai Medical University, Shanghai 200025, China. lilyssmu@163.com
Zhao
Yong-ju
YJ
Wang
Xiao-ying
XY
Yuan
Ping
P
Xu
Wei-qing
WQ
Xiao
Jia-cheng
JC
Xu
Jin-ping
JP
Luo
Bang-rao
BR
D000231:Adenocarcinoma, Papillary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism; D000236:Adenoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C112697:CD44v6 antigen; D037502:Galectin 3; D006023:Glycoproteins; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors