This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a related Letter to the Editor Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Copyright Permission Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Finley, D. J. Articles by Fahey, T. J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Finley, D. J. Articles by Fahey, T. J., III

Molecular Profiling Distinguishes Papillary Carcinoma from Benign Thyroid Nodules

Departments of Surgery (D.J.F., N.A., B.Z., T.J.F.) and Pathology (L.G.), Weill Medical College of Cornell University; and Strang Cancer Prevention Center (T.J.F.), New York, New York 10021

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Dr. Thomas J. Fahey III, New York Presbyterian Hospital-Cornell University, Room F-2024, 525 East 68th Street, New York, New York 10021. E-mail: tjfahey{at}mail.med.cornell.edu.

Recently we identified a molecular basis for differentiating benign and malignant follicular thyroid tumors. The purpose of these studies was to determine whether molecular analysis can be used to differentiate papillary thyroid carcinomas from benign thyroid nodules. Gene expression patterns of 14 papillary thyroid carcinomas and 21 benign tumors were analyzed by oligonucleotide array analysis. The carcinomas included seven classical papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC) and seven follicular variant of PTC (FVPTC), and the benign tumors included 14 follicular adenomas and seven hyperplastic nodules. A hierarchical clustering analysis was performed to examine the groups for potential differences. The combined PTC and FVPTC groups had a distinct gene expression profile compared with the benign lesions. The sensitivity for a diagnosis of carcinoma was 93%, with a 100% specificity (one FVPTC clustered with the benign nodules). Cancer gene profiles contained both known (Met and galectin-3) and previously unidentified genes. Gene profiling is a reliable means of distinguishing PTC, FVPTC, and benign tumors of the thyroid. These gene profiles may provide insight into the pathogenesis of papillary thyroid carcinoma and may ultimately enhance the preoperative diagnosis of thyroid nodules on a molecular basis.

This work was supported by a G. Tom Shires Faculty Scholar Award.

Abbreviations: FA, Follicular adenoma; FNA, fine needle aspiration; FVPTC, follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma; NRP2, neuropilin-2; PTC, papillary thyroid carcinoma; SEMA3, semaphorin-3.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M P Menon and A Khan Micro-RNAs in thyroid neoplasms: molecular, diagnostic and therapeutic implications J. Clin. Pathol., November 1, 2009; 62(11): 978 - 985. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Durand, C. Ferraro-Peyret, M. Joufre, A. Chave, F. Borson-Chazot, S. Selmi-Ruby, and B. Rousset Molecular characteristics of papillary thyroid carcinomas without BRAF mutation or RET/PTC rearrangement: relationship with clinico-pathological features Endocr. Relat. Cancer, June 1, 2009; 16(2): 467 - 481. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. C Smallridge, L. A Marlow, and J. A Copland Anaplastic thyroid cancer: molecular pathogenesis and emerging therapies Endocr. Relat. Cancer, March 1, 2009; 16(1): 17 - 44. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Durand, C. Ferraro-Peyret, S. Selmi-Ruby, C. Paulin, M. El Atifi, F. Berger, N. Berger-Dutrieux, M. Decaussin, J.-L. Peix, C. Bournaud, et al. Evaluation of Gene Expression Profiles in Thyroid Nodule Biopsy Material to Diagnose Thyroid Cancer J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., April 1, 2008; 93(4): 1195 - 1202. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Riesco-Eizaguirre and P. Santisteban New insights in thyroid follicular cell biology and its impact in thyroid cancer therapy Endocr. Relat. Cancer, December 1, 2007; 14(4): 957 - 977. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Fujarewicz, M. Jarzab, M. Eszlinger, K. Krohn, R. Paschke, M. Oczko-Wojciechowska, M. Wiench, A. Kukulska, B. Jarzab, and A. Swierniak A multi-gene approach to differentiate papillary thyroid carcinoma from benign lesions: gene selection using support vector machines with bootstrapping Endocr. Relat. Cancer, September 1, 2007; 14(3): 809 - 826. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Eszlinger, K. Krohn, A. Kukulska, B. Jarzab, and R. Paschke Perspectives and Limitations of Microarray-Based Gene Expression Profiling of Thyroid Tumors Endocr. Rev., May 1, 2007; 28(3): 322 - 338. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Yehuda, R. J. Payne, R. M. Seaberg, C. MacMillan, and J. L. Freeman Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy of the Thyroid: Atypical Cytopathological Features Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, May 1, 2007; 133(5): 477 - 480. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				O. L. Griffith, A. Melck, S. J.M. Jones, and S. M. Wiseman Meta-Analysis and Meta-Review of Thyroid Cancer Gene Expression Profiling Studies Identifies Important Diagnostic Biomarkers J. Clin. Oncol., November 1, 2006; 24(31): 5043 - 5051. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M Niedziela Pathogenesis, diagnosis and management of thyroid nodules in children. Endocr. Relat. Cancer, June 1, 2006; 13(2): 427 - 453. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Eszlinger, M. Wiench, B. Jarzab, K. Krohn, M. Beck, J. Lauter, E. Gubala, K. Fujarewicz, A. Swierniak, and R. Paschke Meta- and Reanalysis of Gene Expression Profiles of Hot and Cold Thyroid Nodules and Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma for Gene Groups J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., May 1, 2006; 91(5): 1934 - 1942. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B Jarzab, D Handkiewicz-Junak, and J Wloch Juvenile differentiated thyroid carcinoma and the role of radioiodine in its treatment: a qualitative review Endocr. Relat. Cancer, December 1, 2005; 12(4): 773 - 803. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. Weber, L. Shen, M. A. Aldred, C. D. Morrison, A. Frilling, M. Saji, F. Schuppert, C. E. Broelsch, M. D. Ringel, and C. Eng Genetic Classification of Benign and Malignant Thyroid Follicular Neoplasia Based on a Three-Gene Combination J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., May 1, 2005; 90(5): 2512 - 2521. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. Jarzab, M. Wiench, K. Fujarewicz, K. Simek, M. Jarzab, M. Oczko-Wojciechowska, J. Wloch, A. Czarniecka, E. Chmielik, D. Lange, et al. Gene Expression Profile of Papillary Thyroid Cancer: Sources of Variability and Diagnostic Implications Cancer Res., February 15, 2005; 65(4): 1587 - 1597. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]