ADM3, TFF3 and LGALS3 are discriminative molecular markers in fine-needle aspiration biopsies of benign and malignant thyroid tumours.
BACKGROUND
Previously, we reported a six-marker gene set, which allowed a molecular discrimination of benign and malignant thyroid tumours. Now, we evaluated these markers in fine-needle aspiration biopsies (FNAB) in a prospective, independent series of thyroid tumours with proven histological outcome.


METHODS
Quantitative RT-PCR was performed (ADM3, HGD1, LGALS3, PLAB, TFF3, TG) in the needle wash-out of 156 FNAB of follicular adenoma (FA), adenomatous nodules, follicular and papillary thyroid cancers (TC) and normal thyroid tissues (NT).


RESULTS
Significant expression differences were found for TFF3, HGD1, ADM3 and LGALS3 in FNAB of TC compared with benign thyroid nodules and NT. Using two-marker gene sets, a specific FNAB distinction of benign and malignant tumours was achieved with negative predictive values (NPV) up to 0.78 and positive predictive values (PPV) up to 0.84. Two FNAB marker gene combinations (ADM3/TFF3; ADM3/ACTB) allowed the distinction of FA and malignant follicular neoplasia with NPV up to 0.94 and PPV up to 0.86.


CONCLUSIONS
We demonstrate that molecular FNAB diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid tumours including follicular neoplasia is possible with recently identified marker gene combinations. We propose multi-centre FNAB studies on these markers to bring this promising diagnostic tool closer to clinical practice.
Department of Internal Medicine, Neurology and Dermatology, Clinic for Endocrinology and Nephrology, University of Leipzig, Liebigstr. 18, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
S
S
Karger
K
K
Krause
M
M
Gutknecht
K
K
Schierle
D
D
Graf
F
F
Steinert
H
H
Dralle
D
D
Führer
D018263:Adenocarcinoma, Follicular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D015415:Biomarkers; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D010455:Peptides / Q000235:genetics; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D000071165:Trefoil Factor-3
D015415:Biomarkers; D037502:Galectin 3; D010455:Peptides; C082495:TFF3 protein, human; D000071165:Trefoil Factor-3