Endocrine Abstracts

Serum CT is the most specific marker of Medullary Thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Although Pg test is the most frequently used to induce CT secretion, the poor availability of Pg makes it necessary to look for different agents. Aim of this work was to compare the induction of CT secretion following 2 different stimuli in the same patient. We studied 25 patients (14 females, 11 males; mean age 50±15 yrs; range 12–77 yrs). All patients were subjected to both tests by injectio...

Several studies have identified a relationship between oncogene activation and dedifferentiation of PTC. Mutations of RAS, RET/PTC and BRAF modulate the expression of thyroid genes. An impaired NIS expression has been demonstrated in PTCs harboring the BRAFV600E mutation.Aim of this study was to analyze BRAF and RET/PTC1-3 alterations and their influence on the expression of thyroid differentiation genes. Seventy-one PTC samples were studied. Quantitative analysis o...

Germline point mutations of the RET proto-oncogene are causative of hereditary MTC. Somatic mutations are described in 40% of sporadic MTCs. Although a relationship between somatic mutations and bad prognosis has been described, data are controversial.No date on the prognostic value of RET polymorphisms are available.Aim of the work was to verify if the presence of a somatic RET mutation and or a polymorphisms can influence the prognosis of MTC. This stu...