MicroRNA Profile for Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers in Thyroid Cancer

Abstract

The challenge in managing thyroid nodules is to accurately diagnose the minority of those with malignancy. We aimed to identify diagnostic and prognostic miRNA markers for thyroid nodules. In a discovery cohort, we identified 20 candidate miRNAs to differentiate between noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasms with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP) and papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC) by using the high-throughput small RNA sequencing method. We then selected three miRNAs (miR-136, miR-21, and miR-127) that were differentially expressed between the PTC follicular variant and other variants in The Cancer Genome Atlas data. High expression of three miRNAs differentiated thyroid cancer from nonmalignant tumors, with an area under curve (AUC) of 0.76–0.81 in an independent cohort. In patients with differentiated thyroid cancer, the high-level expression of the three miRNAs was an independent indicator for both distant metastases and recurrent or persistent disease. In patients with PTC, a high expression of miRNAs was associated with an aggressive histologic variant, extrathyroidal extension, distant metastasis, or recurrent or persistent disease. Three miRNAs may be used as diagnostic markers for differentiating thyroid cancers from benign tumors and tumors with extremely low malignant potential (NIFTP), as well as prognostic markers for predicting the risk of recurrent/persistent disease for differentiated thyroid cancer.

Emerging Biomarkers in Thyroid Practice and Research

“…The miRNAs that have been shown to be consistently upregulated in PTC tissues, when compared with non-neoplastic thyroid, include miR-21, miR-127, miR-136, miR-146b, miR-221, miR-222, and miR-181b [ 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 ]. MicroRNAs miR-221 and miR-222 negatively regulate p27 protein, a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor and a cell-cycle regulator [ 84 ].…”

80MAP17 promotes the tumorigenesis of papillary thyroid carcinoma by reducing the stability of p53

“…Therefore, novel molecular markers are essential for risk stratification and personalized management of PTC [23]. Previous studies have revealed multiple potential PTC markers, such as miRNAs (miR-136, miR-21, and miR-127) [19], lncRNA SLC26A4-AS1 [24], and Lactate Dehydrogenase A [25]. Fortunately, in this study, we identified a novel potential molecular marker for PTC treatment, i.e., MAP17.…”

“…Briefly, constructs (MAP17overexpressing (MAP17) and negative control (NC)) were inserted into an adenovirus-packaging plasmid. After that, the above adenovirus were packaged in HEK293A cells [19]. CAL62 and TPC-1 cells were seeded into 24-well plates, achieving to a cell density of about 2 × 10 5 , and then 5 × 10 10 PFU/mL adenovirus (2 µL) was added into the 24-well plate, and the fresh complete culture medium was replaced after 4-8 h. WB analysis was performed 48 h later.…”

A Literature Review of The Epidemiology, Pathogenesis and Treatment of Thyroid Cancer

“…Further, "RNA sequence analysis" was performed to identify new and known "miRNAs" to differentiate between different type of tumors. As a result of which it was found that it was not always the case some types of "miRNAs" were found to be overly expressed in cancer patients including miR-136, miR-21 and miR-127 that could serve as a biomarker for identification of thyroid cancer patients (Park et al, 2021).…”