Molecular Markers in Well-differentiated Thyroid Cancer

Overview

Journal Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol

Specialty Otorhinolaryngology

Date 2018 Apr 8

PMID 29626249

Citations 22

Authors

Anil K DCruz

Richa Vaish

Abhishek Vaidya

Iain J Nixon

Michelle D Williams

Vincent Vander Poorten

Fernando Lopez

Peter Angelos

Ashok R Shaha

Avi Khafif

Alena Skalova

Alessandra Rinaldo

Jennifer L Hunt

Alfio Ferlito

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: Thyroid nodules are of common occurrence in the general population. About a fourth of these nodules are indeterminate on aspiration cytology placing many a patient at risk of unwanted surgery. The purpose of this review is to discuss various molecular markers described to date and place their role in proper perspective. This review covers the fundamental role of the signaling pathways and genetic changes involved in thyroid carcinogenesis. The current literature on the prognostic significance of these markers is also described.

Methods: PubMed was used to search relevant articles. The key terms "thyroid nodules", "thyroid cancer papillary", "carcinoma papillary follicular", "carcinoma papillary", "adenocarcinoma follicular" were searched in MeSH, and "molecular markers", "molecular testing", mutation, BRAF, RAS, RET/PTC, PAX 8, miRNA, NIFTP in title and abstract fields. Multiple combinations were done and a group of experts in the subject from the International Head and Neck Scientific Group extracted the relevant articles and formulated the review.

Results: There has been considerable progress in the understanding of thyroid carcinogenesis and the emergence of numerous molecular markers in the recent years with potential to be used in the diagnostic algorithm of these nodules. However, their precise role in routine clinical practice continues to be a contentious issue. Majority of the studies in this context are retrospective and impact of these mutations is not independent of other prognostic factors making the interpretation difficult.

Conclusion: The prevalence of these mutations in thyroid nodule is high and it is a continuously evolving field. Clinicians should stay informed as recommendation on the use of these markers is expected to evolve.

Citing Articles

Screening and Studying of Blood miRNAs as Potential Diagnostic Markers for Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma.

Li X, Qin W, Wang W, Liu W, Dong T, Liu A Onco Targets Ther. 2024; 17:1173-1185.

PMID: 39678015 PMC: 11645959. DOI: 10.2147/OTT.S489559.

The value of preoperative molecular testing in the management of Bethesda V and Bethesda VI thyroid tumors.

Paspala A, Bompetsi G, Paschou S, Charalambopoulos A, Pikoulis E, Peppa M Hormones (Athens). 2024; .

PMID: 39225945 DOI: 10.1007/s42000-024-00597-0.

BRAF Positivity-Dependent Effect of Age on Papillary Thyroid Cancer Recurrence Risk.

Park J, An S, Kim K, Bae J, Kim J Cancers (Basel). 2023; 15(22).

PMID: 38001654 PMC: 10670702. DOI: 10.3390/cancers15225395.

Advances in Molecular Profiling and Their Potential Influence on the Extent of Surgery in Well-Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma (WDTC).

Parpounas C, Constantinides V Life (Basel). 2023; 13(6).

PMID: 37374164 PMC: 10304148. DOI: 10.3390/life13061382.

[Evaluation of accuracy of pathological diagnosis based on thyroid core needle biopsy].

Xiong Y, Li X, Liang L, Li D, Yan L, Li X Beijing Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban. 2023; 55(2):234-242.

PMID: 37042133 PMC: 10091251.

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