Endocrine Abstracts

Background

Many microRNAs (miRNA) have been proposed as promising molecular markers of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). However, there are limited data on the correlation between miRNA expression, and neck lymph node metastasis. Analysis of miRNAs expression data may improve perioperative decision making for patients with PTC, specifically in identifying patients harboring neck lymph node metastases (LNM).

Aim of the study

To determine and compare miRNA expression profiles of PTC with LNM and PTC without LNM and to determine the diagnostic utility of the detection of specific miRNAs in the preoperative assessment of thyroid nodules.

Methods

Sixty-two thyroid fine needle aspiration (FNA) samples with suspected thyroid carcinoma were collected in the prospective molecular study at Vilnius University hospital Santaros klinikos. Next generation sequencing was performed to characterize miRNA and gene expression profiles in these FNA samples. All 62 patients underwent thyroidectomy: 34 PTC without LNM, 14 PTC with LNM and 12 benign thyroid nodules were diagnosed histologically.

Results

Nine miRNAs were significantly differentially expressed between PTC with MTS compared with PTC without MTS (adjusted P value < 0.05; log2 fold change ≤ -1.0 or ≥1.0).

Conclusions

Analysis of miRNAs expression levels and detection of FNA miRNAs can be used for the pre-operative diagnosis of thyroid cancer cervical lymph node metastasis. To translate these data into clinical application, large cohort studies are required to examine the prognostic and diagnostic value of miRNAs panels.