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Endocrine Abstracts (2022) 81 RC3.6 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.81.RC3.6

ECE2022 Rapid Communications Rapid Communications 3: Thyroid 1 (7 abstracts)

The mRNA of fibronectin 1 and of the integrin subunit alpha V are powerful prognostic indicators in papillary thyroid carcinoma

Mario Vitale 1 , Vincenzo Marotta 2 , Anna Tortora 2 , Giulia Izzo 2 & Domenico Rocco 1


1University of Salerno, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Italy; 2UOC Clinica Endocrinologica e Diabetologica, AOU S. Giovanni e Ruggi D’Aragona, Italy


Integrins are cell-extracellular matrix adhesion molecules considered functionally related to the development of cancer metastasis. Starting from the dataset of mRNA-seq of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) from the TCGA, we determined the expression of fibronectin 1 (FN1) and fibronectin-binding integrins in PTC. We then analyzed the association of the expression of these two genes with the driver genes, the stage of the disease and its outcome. 355 PTCs and 58 normal thyroid (NT) tissues with the corresponding mutations of the driver genes, the pathological characteristics and the outcome of the disease entered the analysis. FN1 mRNA was increased 60-fold in PTC compared to NT. The integrin heterodimers that bind FN are 41, 51, V1, V3 and V6. The mRNA of V, 1 and 6 were all overexpressed. Flow cytometric analysis with specific antibodies confirmed in two PTC cell lines (BCPAP and TPC1) that the integrins V1, V3 and V6 were highly expressed. BRAFV600E positive PTCs showed the greatest expression of FN1 and integrin subunits, while the RAS positive PTC expression profile was much lower and similar to that of NT. FN1 expression was positively correlated with lymph node metastases, advanced stage and extrathyroidal extension (P< 0.0001) and with poor disease outcome (odds ratio 8.2: P< 0.001). The expression of V mRNA also correlated positively with an advanced disease and a worse outcome (odds ratio 4.05; P< 0.002). In conclusion, PTCs with BRAFV600E have a higher expression of FN1 and V mRNA. The expression of these genes correlates positively with an advanced disease and an unfavorable outcome, representing a powerful prognostic indicator.

Volume 81

European Congress of Endocrinology 2022

Milan, Italy
21 May 2022 - 24 May 2022

European Society of Endocrinology 

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