Serum microRNA profiling to distinguish papillary thyroid cancer from benign thyroid masses

Abstract

ObjectivesPapillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is increasing in incidence. Fine needle aspiration is the gold standard for diagnosis, but results can be indeterminate. Identifying tissue and serum biomarkers, like microRNA, is therefore desirable. We sought to identify miRNA that is differentially expressed in the serum of patients with PTC.MethodsSerum miRNA was quantified in 31 female thyroidectomy patients: 13 with benign disease and 18 with PTC. qPCR results were compared for significant fold-changes in 175 miRNAs, against a pooled control.Results128 miRNA qualified for analysis. There were identifiable fold-changes in miRNA levels between benign and control, and between PTC and control. There were statistically significant fold changes in the level of four miRNAs between benign and PTC: hsa-miR-146a-5p and hsa-miR-199b-3p were down-regulated, while hsa-let7b-5p and hsa-miR-10a-5p were up-regulated.ConclusionsMicroRNA is differentially expressed in the serum of patients with PTC. Serum miRNA has the potential to aid in thyroid cancer diagnosis.

miRNA expression and function in thyroid carcinomas: a comparative and critical analysis and a model for other cancers

“…Very recently, another similar study performed in a Canadian cohort identified the up-regulated miR-10a-5p and let-7b-5p and the down-regulated miR146a-5p and miR-199b-5p as diagnostic blood markers of PTC. In this study, none of the previously cited miRNAs was reported as modulated [48]. Inconsistent results have been found also for other cancer types [50].…”

“…In our review of the literature, each study used its own methodology. For instance, only the Canadian study considered the potential hemolysis in the samples [48] while plasma samples were used only in the Australian study [46]. Further works with improved methodology are needed to clarify the situation.…”

Serum miRNAs as Biomarkers for the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Thyroid Cancer: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature

“…In addition, the measurement of thyroglobulin as a noninvasive method cannot be applied to measure long-term surveillance for 25% of patients due to the presence of thyroglobulin antibody. In FNA-aspirated cells, about 30% of thyroid gland biopsies remain undecided or undiagnosed [6]. Tumors of molecular markers such as miRNA are generated by cancer cells or other cells in response to the cancer and are responsible for cells survival processes.…”

Nodular Thyroid Disease and Thyroid Cancer in the Era of Precision Medicine

“…Pupilli et al [22] investigated the presence of the DNA BRAF mutation in plasma from 103 patients with nodular goitre and reported 65% specificity and 80% sensitivity to discriminate papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) from benign nodules. miRNAs have also been quantified in serum, and differences have been found in blood samples from patients with PTC compared with those from patients with benign thyroid nodules or controls [23,24] .…”