Evaluation of a new method for the diagnosis of alterations of Lens culinaris agglutinin binding of thyroglobulin molecules in thyroid carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
The measurement of serum thyroglobulin (Tg) is widely used as a marker for recurrence of thyroid carcinoma following total thyroidectomy. However, this method cannot differentiate between benign and malignant disease. We focused on the sugar chain in the Tg molecule and investigated the usefulness of Lens culinaris agglutinin (LCA)-reactive Tg ratios in sera and wash fluids obtained during fine-needle aspiration (FNA) for the detection of thyroid carcinoma.


METHODS
The study was performed using 203 serum samples (115 from patients with benign thyroid disease and 88 from patients with thyroid carcinomas) and 176 wash fluid samples (143 benign, 21 malignant, and 12 inconclusive). LCA-reactive Tg ratios were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and a comparison was made between malignant and benign lesions.


RESULTS
In serum, the ratio in patients with malignancy was 79.5+/-6.0 [mean+/-standard deviation (SD)], significantly lower than in patients with benign lesions (84.9+/-3.5). The ratios in wash fluid from malignant lesions (75.8+/-18.9) were also significantly lower than those from benign lesions (85.6+/-3.9).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that this method could distinguish between benign and malignant lesions and may be useful for screening serum and wash samples.
Kanai
Toshiharu
T
Division of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Department of Surgery (II), Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan. drkana@shinshu-u.ac.jp
Amakawa
Masao
M
Kato
Ryoji
R
Shimizu
Kayoko
K
Nakamura
Kenji
K
Ito
Ken-Ichi
K
Hama
Yoshihisa
Y
Fujimori
Minoru
M
Amano
Jun
J
D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000737:chemistry; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D037121:Plant Lectins / Q000378:metabolism*; D011485:Protein Binding; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013954:Thyroglobulin / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
D002241:Carbohydrates; D037121:Plant Lectins; C033619:lentil lectin; D013954:Thyroglobulin