Loss of Raf-1 kinase inhibitor protein expression is associated with lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Raf-1 kinase inhibitor protein has potential as a molecular determinant of tumor metastasis and may serve as a prognostic marker. The aim of this study is to analyze the correlation between Raf-1 kinase inhibitor protein expression and the clinicopathologic characteristics of papillary thyroid cancer.


METHODS
Immunohistochemical analysis.


METHODS
Tertiary care teaching hospital.


METHODS
Fifty-nine patients with papillary thyroid cancer underwent total thyroidectomy and central neck dissection. Using specimens from total thyroidectomy and central neck dissection, we performed immunohistochemistry for Raf-1 kinase inhibitor protein and evaluated associations between Raf-1 kinase inhibitor protein expression and lymph node metastasis, tumor size, number of tumors, extrathyroidal invasion, angiolymphatic invasion, and status of the tumor border.


RESULTS
We found significantly low Raf-1 kinase inhibitor protein expression in papillary thyroid cancer with lymph node metastasis. However, Raf-1 kinase inhibitor protein expression was not associated with tumor size, multifocality, extrathyroidal invasion, or status of the tumor border.


CONCLUSIONS
The loss of Raf-1 kinase inhibitor protein expression is associated with lymph node metastasis of papillary thyroid cancer but not with the progression of primary tumors.
Eun
Young Gyu
YG
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Masan Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Masan, Korea.
Kim
Sung Wan
SW
Kim
Youn Wha
YW
Kwon
Kee Hwan
KH
D000328:Adult; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D049488:Phosphatidylethanolamine Binding Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
D049488:Phosphatidylethanolamine Binding Protein; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors