A 4‐MicroRNA signature can discriminate primary lymphomas from anaplastic carcinomas in thyroid cytology smears. Issue 4 (10th December 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fassina, Ambrogio; Cappellesso, Rocco; Simonato, Francesca; Siri, Maayan; Ventura, Laura; Tosato, Francesca; Busund, Lill‐Tove; Pelizzo, Maria Rosa; Fassan, Matteo
• Is Part Of: Cancer cytopathology. Volume 122:Issue 4(2014:Apr.)
• Page Start: 274
• Page End: 281
• Publication Date: 2013-12-10
• Subjects: Cancer -- Cytopathology -- Periodicals; Pathology, Cellular -- Periodicals; Cytology -- Technique -- Periodicals; 611.01815
• DOI: 10.1002/cncy.21383
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1934-662X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="cncy21383-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>BACKGROUND</title> <p>Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) and primary thyroid lymphoma (PTL) are uncommon tumors of the thyroid gland with several overlapping clinical and pathologic features that may render their differentiation difficult in fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) cytology. MicroRNA (miRNA) signatures have been recently reported as useful diagnostic tools applied to cytology specimens.</p> </sec> <sec id="cncy21383-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>METHODS</title> <p>Smears of 23 ATCs, 14 PTLs, and 20 non‐neoplastic materials with multinodular goiter (MNG) were retrieved and classified based on their cytologic features and flow cytometric profiles. The ATC‐related expression of <italic>hsa‐miR‐26a</italic>, <italic>hsa‐miR‐146b</italic>, <italic>hsa‐miR‐221</italic>, and <italic>hsa‐miR‐222</italic> was quantified using quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction analysis.</p> </sec> <sec id="cncy21383-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>RESULTS</title> <p>All miRNAs were remarkably up‐regulated in ATC samples compared with PTL samples (<italic>P</italic> < .01). Moreover, expression levels of <italic>hsa‐miR‐146b</italic>, <italic>hsa‐miR‐221</italic>, and <italic>hsa‐miR‐222</italic> were significantly higher in ATCs than in MNG samples (<italic>P</italic> < .01). Significant down‐regulation of <italic>hsa‐miR‐26a</italic> was observed in PTLs compared with MNG samples, whereas <italic>hsa‐miR‐146b</italic> was overexpressed. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to determine the optimal cutoff for distinguishing ATC from PTL. The estimated receiver operating characteristic thresholds displayed a sensitivity level greater than 0.80 in achieving a diagnosis of PTL, allowing the correct identification of 13 of 14 PTL samples (93%).</p> </sec> <sec id="cncy21383-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>CONCLUSIONS</title> <p>Histotype‐specific miRNA signatures can provide new insight into the molecular mechanisms of thyroid carcinogenesis. The tested 4‐miRNA signature is a promising diagnostic tool for differentiating ATC from PTL and non‐neoplastic MNG, even in the presence of scant material obtained from minimally invasive procedures. <bold><italic>Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol)</italic> 2014;122:274–281</bold>. © <italic>2013 American Cancer Society</italic>.</p> </sec> </abstract>