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Jannin A, Escande A, Al Ghuzlan A, Blanchard P, Hartl D, Chevalier B, Deschamps F, Lamartina L, Lacroix L, Dupuy C, Baudin E, Do Cao C, Hadoux J. Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma: An Update. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14041061. [PMID: 35205809 PMCID: PMC8869821 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14041061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is a rare and undifferentiated form of thyroid cancer. Its prognosis is poor: the median overall survival (OS) of patients varies from 4 to 10 months after diagnosis. However, a doubling of the OS time may be possible owing to a more systematic use of molecular tests for targeted therapies and integration of fast-track dedicated care pathways for these patients in tertiary centers. The diagnostic confirmation, if needed, requires an urgent biopsy reread by an expert pathologist with additional immunohistochemical and molecular analyses. Therapeutic management, defined in multidisciplinary meetings, respecting the patient's choice, must start within days following diagnosis. For localized disease diagnosed after primary surgical treatment, adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy is recommended. In the event of locally advanced or metastatic disease, the prognosis is very poor. Treatment should then involve chemotherapy or targeted therapy and decompressive cervical radiotherapy. Here we will review current knowledge on ATC and provide perspectives to improve the management of this deadly disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnaud Jannin
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology, Metabolism and Nutrition, Lille University Hospital, 59000 Lille, France; (A.J.); (B.C.); (C.D.C.)
- H. Warembourg School of Medicine, University of Lille, 59000 Lille, France;
| | - Alexandre Escande
- H. Warembourg School of Medicine, University of Lille, 59000 Lille, France;
- Academic Radiation Oncology Department, Oscar Lambret Center, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Abir Al Ghuzlan
- Cancer Medical Pathology and Biology Department, Institute Gustave Roussy, 94805 Villejuif, France;
| | - Pierre Blanchard
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Institute Gustave Roussy, Université Paris Saclay, 94805 Villejuif, France;
| | - Dana Hartl
- Département d’Anesthésie, Chirurgie et Interventionnel (DACI), Institute Gustave Roussy, Université Paris Saclay, 94805 Villejuif, France;
| | - Benjamin Chevalier
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology, Metabolism and Nutrition, Lille University Hospital, 59000 Lille, France; (A.J.); (B.C.); (C.D.C.)
- H. Warembourg School of Medicine, University of Lille, 59000 Lille, France;
| | - Frédéric Deschamps
- Department of Head and Neck Oncology, Institute Gustave Roussy, Université Paris Saclay, 94805 Paris, France;
| | - Livia Lamartina
- Cancer Medicine Department, Institute Gustave Roussy, Université Paris Saclay, 94805 Villejuif, France; (L.L.); (E.B.)
| | - Ludovic Lacroix
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institute Gustave Roussy, Université Paris Saclay, 94805 Villejuif, France;
| | | | - Eric Baudin
- Cancer Medicine Department, Institute Gustave Roussy, Université Paris Saclay, 94805 Villejuif, France; (L.L.); (E.B.)
| | - Christine Do Cao
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology, Metabolism and Nutrition, Lille University Hospital, 59000 Lille, France; (A.J.); (B.C.); (C.D.C.)
| | - Julien Hadoux
- Cancer Medicine Department, Institute Gustave Roussy, Université Paris Saclay, 94805 Villejuif, France; (L.L.); (E.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-142116361
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Rocha ML, Schmid KW, Czapiewski P. The prevalence of DNA microsatellite instability in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma - systematic review and discussion of current therapeutic options. Contemp Oncol (Pozn) 2021; 25:213-223. [PMID: 34729042 PMCID: PMC8547184 DOI: 10.5114/wo.2021.110052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is a rare, rapidly progressing, highly aggressive thyroid malignancy. Responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors in mismatch repair-deficient/microsatellite instability-high tumours of other locations have shown promising results, and with the extended approval of the PD-1 receptor inhibitor pembrolizumab by the Food and Drug Administration, also anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) requires analysis for microsatellite instability (MSI) status. MATERIAL AND METHODS Systematic research for relevant literature was conducted in different databases. Prevalence, detection methods, and the potential prognostic/predictive value of MSI in view of the available targeted therapies were of special focus. RESULTS Selected citations revealed the prevalence of MSI in 7.4%, with mutations in the MSH2 gene (33%) being the most frequent, followed by MSH6 (25%) and MLH1 (16.7%) occurring in the following combinations: MLH1-MSH2 (8.3%), MSH2-MSH6 (8.3%), and MLH3-MSH5 (8.3%). No mutations in the PMS2 gene were reported. Sixty-six co-mutations in 9 cases were found, with TP53 (88.9%), NF1 (44.4 %), ATM (33.3%), and RB1 (33.3%) being the most frequent. No RAS mutations were noted. Survival ranged between 2.8 and 48 months, and patient age varied between 49 and 84 years. There are insufficient and heterogenous data concerning the predictive or prognostic value of mismatch repair-deficient/microsatellite instability status. CONCLUSIONS Tumour molecular profiling is fundamental in ATC for predictive, prognostic, as well as therapeutic reasons, and analysis of MSI status is strongly suggested because a small subgroup show the MSI signature and might profit from recently approved targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Linda Rocha
- Institute of Pathology Königs Wusterhausen, Königs Wusterhausen, Germany
| | - Kurt Werner Schmid
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Piotr Czapiewski
- Institute of Pathology, Dessau Medical Centre, Dessau, Germany
- Institute of Pathology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
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Micronuclei Formation upon Radioiodine Therapy for Well-Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: The Influence of DNA Repair Genes Variants. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11091083. [PMID: 32957448 PMCID: PMC7565468 DOI: 10.3390/genes11091083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Radioiodine therapy with 131I remains the mainstay of standard treatment for well-differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Prognosis is good but concern exists that 131I-emitted ionizing radiation may induce double-strand breaks in extra-thyroidal tissues, increasing the risk of secondary malignancies. We, therefore, sought to evaluate the induction and 2-year persistence of micronuclei (MN) in lymphocytes from 26 131I-treated DTC patients and the potential impact of nine homologous recombination (HR), non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ), and mismatch repair (MMR) polymorphisms on MN levels. MN frequency was determined by the cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus assay while genotyping was performed through pre-designed TaqMan® Assays or conventional PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). MN levels increased significantly one month after therapy and remained persistently higher than baseline for 2 years. A marked reduction in lymphocyte proliferation capacity was also apparent 2 years after therapy. MLH1 rs1799977 was associated with MN frequency (absolute or net variation) one month after therapy, in two independent groups. Significant associations were also observed for MSH3 rs26279, MSH4 rs5745325, NBN rs1805794, and tumor histotype. Overall, our results suggest that 131I therapy may pose a long-term challenge to cells other than thyrocytes and that the individual genetic profile may influence 131I sensitivity, hence its risk-benefit ratio. Further studies are warranted to confirm the potential utility of these single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as radiogenomic biomarkers in the personalization of radioiodine therapy.
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Genutis LK, Tomsic J, Bundschuh RA, Brock PL, Williams MD, Roychowdhury S, Reeser JW, Frankel WL, Alsomali M, Routbort MJ, Broaddus RR, Wakely PE, Phay JE, Walker CJ, de la Chapelle A. Microsatellite Instability Occurs in a Subset of Follicular Thyroid Cancers. Thyroid 2019; 29:523-529. [PMID: 30747051 PMCID: PMC6457885 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2018.0655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inactivation of DNA mismatch repair (MMR) and the resulting microsatellite instability (MSI) are frequently observed in endometrial, stomach, and colorectal cancers, as well as more rarely in other solid tumor types. The prevalence of MSI in thyroid cancer has not been explored in depth, although recent studies utilizing data from large cancer sequencing efforts such as The Cancer Genome Atlas indicate that MSI is absent or at least very rare in the most common and most well studied histologic subtype, papillary thyroid carcinoma. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of MSI in thyroid cancer by using a large series comprising all major histological subtypes. METHODS A total of 485 thyroid cancer patients were screened for MSI/MMR deficiency, including all major histologic subtypes (195 papillary thyroid carcinoma, 156 follicular thyroid carcinoma [FTC], 50 anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, 65 medullary thyroid carcinoma, and 17 poorly differentiated thyroid carcinomas) by using a combination of polymerase chain reaction-based detection, immunohistochemistry, and next-generation sequencing. RESULTS A total of four tumors were MSI-high and had loss of MMR protein expression, all of which were from FTC patients. Whole-exome sequencing was performed on two MSI-high FTCs and revealed a hemizygous loss of function mutation in MSH2 in one tumor. CONCLUSIONS Based on these data, it is estimated that the overall prevalence of MSI in FTC is 2.5%, and MSI is either entirely absent or rare in other histology subtypes of thyroid carcinoma. These findings highlight the importance of testing for MSI in FTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke K. Genutis
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Jerneja Tomsic
- Division of Biomarkers Early Detection Prevention, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, California
| | - Ralf A. Bundschuh
- Department of Physics and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Pamela L. Brock
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Michelle D. Williams
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | | | - Julie W. Reeser
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Wendy L. Frankel
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | | | - Mark J. Routbort
- Department of Hematopathology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Russell R. Broaddus
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Paul E. Wakely
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - John E. Phay
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Christopher J. Walker
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
- Christopher J. Walker, PhD, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, 894 BRT, 460 W. 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Albert de la Chapelle
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
- Address correspondence to: Albert de la Chapelle, MD, PhD, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, 804 BRT, 460 W. 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210
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Santos JC, Bastos AU, Cerutti JM, Ribeiro ML. Correlation of MLH1 and MGMT expression and promoter methylation with genomic instability in patients with thyroid carcinoma. BMC Cancer 2013; 13:79. [PMID: 23414134 PMCID: PMC3583824 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-13-79] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2012] [Accepted: 02/08/2013] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Gene silencing of the repair genes MLH1 and MGMT was shown to be a mechanism underlying the development of microsatellite instability (MSI), a phenotype frequently associated with various human malignancies. Recently, aberrant methylation of MLH1, MGMT and MSI were shown to be associated with mutations in genes such as BRAF, RAS and IDH1 in colon and brain tumours. Little is known about the methylation status of MLH1 and MGMT in thyroid tumours and its association with MSI and mutational status. Methods In a series of 96 thyroid tumours whose mutational profiles of BRAF, IDH1 and NRAS mutations and RET/PTC were previously determined, we investigated MLH1 and MGMT expression and methylation status by qPCR and methylation-specific PCR after bisulphite treatment, respectively. MSI was determined by PCR using seven standard microsatellite markers. Results Samples with point mutations (BRAF, IDH1 and NRAS) show a decrease in MLH1 expression when compared to negative samples. Additionally, malignant lesions show a higher MSI pattern than benign lesions. The MSI phenotype was also associated with down-regulation of MLH1. Conclusions The results of this study allow us to conclude that low expression of MLH1 is associated with BRAF V600E mutations, RET/PTC rearrangements and transitions (IDH1 and NRAS) in patients with thyroid carcinoma. In addition, a significant relationship between MSI status and histological subtypes was found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Carvalho Santos
- Unidade Integrada de Farmacologia e Gastroenterologia, Universidade São Francisco, Av. São Francisco de Assis, 218, Jd, São José, Bragança Paulista, SP, Brazil
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NYEO SULONG, YU JUIPING. LENGTH DISTRIBUTIONS OF SIMPLE TANDEM REPEATS IN GENOMES. J BIOL SYST 2011. [DOI: 10.1142/s0218339007002246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The length distributions of simple tandem repeats in the genomes of several organisms are evaluated and found to exhibit long-range correlations in A and T nucleotide bases related repeats for most eukaryotes. In particular, the length distributions of the mononucleotide A/T repeat units have longer tails than those of the C/G repeat units. Also, the length distributions of the dinucleotide repeat unit CG show a simple monotonously fast decreasing behavior, while those of repeat units AT, AG and AC have complicated structures at larger repeat lengths, especially for human, mouse and rat chromosomes. These distributive behaviors are due to the CpG deficiency in different genomes with different methylation activities. Especially, methyltransferases in vertebrates appear to methylate specifically the cytosine in CpG dinucleotides, and the methylated cytosines is prone to mutate to thymine by spontaneous deamination. The dinucleotide CpG would gradually decay into TpG and CpA. In addition, there is a peak in the distributions of repeat unit A at repeat-repeat separation 153 nt for humans and chimpanzees. We show that the long-tail behavior of mononucleotide repeat unit A and the peak at repeat separation 153 nt are due to the interspersed repetitive DNA sequences in humans and chimpanzees.
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Affiliation(s)
- SU-LONG NYEO
- Department of Physics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan 701, R.O.C
| | - JUI-PING YU
- Department of Physics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan 701, R.O.C
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Giaginis C, Michailidi C, Stolakis V, Alexandrou P, Tsourouflis G, Klijanienko J, Delladetsima I, Theocharis S. Expression of DNA repair proteins MSH2, MLH1 and MGMT in human benign and malignant thyroid lesions: an immunohistochemical study. Med Sci Monit 2011; 17:BR81-90. [PMID: 21358597 PMCID: PMC3524721 DOI: 10.12659/msm.881444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background DNA repair is a major defense mechanism, which contributes to the maintenance of genetic sequence, and minimizes cell death, mutation rates, replication errors, DNA damage persistence and genomic instability. Alterations in the expression levels of proteins participating in DNA repair mechanisms have been associated with several aspects of cancer biology. The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of DNA repair proteins MSH2, MLH1 and MGMT in benign and malignant thyroid lesions. Material/Methods MSH2, MLH1 and MGMT protein expression was assessed immunohistochemically on paraffin-embedded thyroid tissues from 90 patients with benign and malignant lesions. Results The expression levels of MLH1 was significantly upregulated in cases with malignant compared to those with benign thyroid lesions (p=0.038). The expression levels of MGMT was significantly downregulated in malignant compared to benign thyroid lesions (p=0.001). Similar associations for both MLH1 and MGMT between cases with papillary carcinoma and hyperplastic nodules were also noted (p=0.014 and p=0.026, respectively). In the subgroup of malignant thyroid lesions, MSH2 downregulation was significantly associated with larger tumor size (p=0.031), while MLH1 upregulation was significantly associated with the presence of lymphatic and vascular invasion (p=0.006 and p=0.002, respectively). Conclusions Alterations in the mismatch repair proteins MSH2 and MLH1 and the direct repair protein MGMT may result from tumor development and/or progression. Further studies are recommended to draw definite conclusions on the clinical significance of DNA repair proteins in thyroid neoplasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constantinos Giaginis
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Medical School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Jovanovic L, Delahunt B, McIver B, Eberhardt NL, Bhattacharya A, Lea R, Grebe SKG. Distinct genetic changes characterise multifocality and diverse histological subtypes in papillary thyroid carcinoma. Pathology 2011; 42:524-33. [PMID: 20854070 DOI: 10.3109/00313025.2010.508780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
AIMS This study was undertaken to investigate the genetic factors underlying the development of multifocality and phenotypic diversity in multifocal papillary thyroid carcinoma (mPTC). METHODS Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and BRAF(V600E) mutation status were analysed in a total of 55 individual tumour foci from 18 cases of mPTC. The genetic findings and morphology of tumour foci were then compared. RESULTS Multifocal PTC LOH rates were higher than observed previously in solitary PTC. Different patterns of LOH and BRAF(V600E) positivity separated follicular variant tumours and tumour foci from other PTC histological subtypes. In five cases, genetic alterations were detected in morphologically normal thyroid epithelium. CONCLUSIONS These findings support the concept that multifocal PTCs develop through clonal selection from a field of pre-neoplastic cells, with morphotype differentiation correlating with specific tumour-genetic alterations. The relatively high genetic disarray in multifocal PTC may underlie their ability to spread throughout the thyroid gland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidija Jovanovic
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
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Cytogenetic and molecular events in adenoma and well-differentiated thyroid follicular-cell neoplasia. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 203:21-9. [PMID: 20951315 DOI: 10.1016/j.cancergencyto.2010.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2010] [Accepted: 08/28/2010] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
In spite of its simple organization, the thyroid gland can give rise to a wide spectrum of neoplasms, ranging from innocuous to highly malignant lesions. Approximately 94% of the malignancies is represented by well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma originating from follicular cells. These neoplasms are divided into two main categories, papillary thyroid carcinoma and follicular thyroid carcinoma. Despite their origin from the same type of cells, the two neoplasias show different biological behavior and a different set of genetic features, including specific cytogenetic patterns. Thyroid adenoma is the benign counterpart of follicular carcinoma. No benign counterpart of papillary carcinoma has yet been identified. The chromosomes of thyroid nodules have been investigated since 1965, and different cytogenetic subgroups have been recognized, some of which show structural chromosomal rearrangements. These structural changes lead to the formation of fusion genes RET-PTC, TRK(-T), and BRAF-AKAP9, which originate as a result of intrachromosomal or interchromosomal rearrangements and are found in papillary thyroid carcinoma. Fusion genes involving PPARγ are caused mainly by translocations and are characteristic of follicular neoplastic tissue. Radiation exposure and the particular architectural arrangement of chromatin regions in which the affected genes lie during interphase are thought to favor the formation of fusion genes in papillary thyroid carcinoma and possibly also in follicular thyroid carcinoma.
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Mitmaker E, Alvarado C, Bégin LR, Trifiro M. Microsatellite Instability in Benign and Malignant Thyroid Neoplasms. J Surg Res 2008; 150:40-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2007.12.760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2007] [Revised: 11/12/2007] [Accepted: 12/06/2007] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Nakashima M, Suzuki K, Meirmanov S, Naruke Y, Matsuu-Matsuyama M, Shichijo K, Saenko V, Kondo H, Hayashi T, Ito M, Yamashita S, Sekine I. Foci formation of P53-binding protein 1 in thyroid tumors: Activation of genomic instability during thyroid carcinogenesis. Int J Cancer 2007; 122:1082-8. [DOI: 10.1002/ijc.23223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Abstract
Thyroid cancer is one of the few malignancies that are increasing in incidence. Recent advances have improved our understanding of its pathogenesis; these include the identification of genetic alterations that activate a common effector pathway involving the RET-Ras-BRAF signalling cascade, and other unique chromosomal rearrangements. Some of these have been associated with radiation exposure as a pathogenetic mechanism. Defects in transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of adhesion molecules and cell-cycle control elements seem to affect tumour progression. This information can provide powerful ancillary diagnostic tools and can also be used to identify new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuo Kondo
- Department of Pathology, University Health Network and Toronto Medical Laboratories, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Toronto, 200 Elizabeth Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 2C4
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Abstract
Knowledge of the molecular events that govern human thyroid tumorigenesis has grown considerably in the past ten years. Key genetic alterations and new oncogenic pathways have been identified. Molecular genetic aberrations in thyroid carcinomas bear noteworthy resemblance to those in acute myelogenous leukemias. Thyroid carcinomas and myeloid leukemias both possess transcription factor gene rearrangements-PPARgamma-related translocations in thyroid carcinoma and RARalpha-related and CBF-related translocations (amongst others) in myeloid leukemia. PPARgamma and RARalpha are closely related members ofthe same nuclear receptor subfamily, and the PML-RARalpha and PAX8-PPARgamma fusion proteins both function as dominant negative inhibitors of their wild-type parent proteins. Thyroid carcinomas and myeloid leukemias also both harbor NRAS mutations (15-25% of both cancers) and receptor tyrosine kinase mutations--RET mutations in thyroid carcinomas and FLT3 mutations in myeloid leukemias. The NRAS and tyrosine receptor kinase mutations are not observed in the same thyroid carcinoma or leukemia patients, suggesting that multiple initiating pathways exist in both. Lastly, thyroid carcinomas and myeloid leukemias possess p53 mutations at relatively low frequency (10-15%) in patients who tend to be older and have more aggressive, therapy resistant disease. Such parallels are unlikely to occur by chance alone and argue that common mechanisms underlie these diverse epithelial and hematologic cancers. The comparison of thyroid carcinomas and myeloid leukemias may highlight areas of thyroid cancer investigation worthy of further focus. For example, few collaborating mutations have been defined in thyroid carcinomas even though they play a clear role in myeloid leukemias, as exemplified by RARalpha rearrangements and FLT3 mutations that together dictate the promyleocytic leukemia phenotype. Functional interactions between collaborating mutations are possible at multiple levels, and it is tempting to speculate that some thyroid carcinomas might develop through an unique combination or co-activation of RET and RAS and/or RET and PPARgamma (and/or other) signaling systems. In fact, the ELE1-RET (PTC3) fusion protein contains the ELE1 nuclear receptor co-activator domain and it appears to physically associate with and inhibit wild-type PPARgamma in some papillary carcinomas. The similarities of the fusion proteins in thyroid carcinoma and myeloid leukemia suggest that a more directed search for fusion genes in non-thyroid carcinomas is warranted. In fact, novel fusion genes have been identified recently in aggressive midline, secretory breast, and renal cell carcinomas, although the epithelial nature of the latter is not well-documented. Interestingly, these cancers all tend to present more frequently in adolescence and young adulthood in a manner similar to thyroid and myeloid malignancies that have fusion genes. The analyses of cancers that present earlier in life may enhance fusion gene recognition in other carcinoma types. Definition and biologic characterization of the precursor cells that give rise to thyroid carcinoma will also be important. Myeloid leukemias are thought to arise from stem/progenitor cells that acquire disturbed self-renewal and differentiation capacities but retain characteristics of the myeloid lineages. Although the presence of comparable stem/progenitor cells in the thyroid are not defined, distinct thyroid cancer lineages and patterns of differentiation exist and candidate stem/progenitor cells such as the p63-immunoreactive solid cell nests are apparent. A last important area is development of molecular-based therapies for thyroid carcinoma patients resistant to standard radio-iodine treatment. Treatments for such cancers are limited and pathways defined by thyroid cancer mutations are prime targets for pharmacologic interventions with molecular inhibitors. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors and nuclear receptor ligands have proven dramatically effective in some myeloid leukemia patients. Various molecular inhibitors are being investigated now in thyroid cancer models. Such developments predict that the thyroid cancer model will continue to provide biologic insights into human carcinoma biology and that improved pathologic diagnosis and treatment for thyroid cancer patients sit on the not too distant horizon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd G Kroll
- Department of Pathology, Endocrinology Division, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
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Vaish M, Mishra SK, Mandhani A, Mittal RD, Mittal B. Assessment of microsatellite instability in bladder and thyroid malignancies. TERATOGENESIS, CARCINOGENESIS, AND MUTAGENESIS 2003; Suppl 1:255-65. [PMID: 12616616 DOI: 10.1002/tcm.10053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Microsatellite instability (MSI) is an indicator of a defective DNA mismatch repair system (MMR) that results from somatic mutations. The present work has been planned to investigate MSI and its clinical significance in human urinary bladder and thyroid cancers in Indian patients. Tumor tissues of histologically confirmed cases of urinary bladder and thyroid cancers, respectively, were obtained. Clinical data on tumor stage and histopathological grades were recorded. Corresponding matched peripheral blood was taken as a control. Genomic DNA was isolated from the tumor tissues and blood using a standard phenol-chloroform extraction method. Polymerase chain reaction was done to amplify mononucleotide microsatellite markers, BAT-26, BAT-40, TGFbetaRII, IGFIIR, hMSH3, and Bax by using specific primer sequences. For analysis of allelic patterns, the PCR products were run on 8% denaturing Polyacrylamide gel and sizing was done using a pUC18 sequencing ladder. The instability with BAT-26 and BAT-40 was found to be 20% and 45% in urinary bladder and 33% and 19% in thyroid cancers, respectively. However, no instability was observed with the other four-mononucleotide markers in either of the cancers studied. Eighty-three percent of the unstable urinary bladder cancers were found to have a high grade in a superficial group, whereas only 27% MSI+ve were muscle invasive cancers. Forty percent of unstable thyroid lesions were found to be at high risk of developing metastasis. Association of BAT-26 and BAT-40 instabilities with high grade tumors as well as risk tumors may help in choosing a more definite therapy at the outset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minal Vaish
- Department of Genetics, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, India
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Lawes DA, SenGupta S, Boulos PB. The clinical importance and prognostic implications of microsatellite instability in sporadic cancer. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY 2003; 29:201-12. [PMID: 12657227 DOI: 10.1053/ejso.2002.1399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The genetic abnormality known as microsatellite instability (MSI), first identified in colorectal cancer in 1993, has subsequently been recognised in other malignancies. These cancers are caused by a defect in the nuclear mismatch repair system, allowing mutations to accumulate with every cellular division. Hereditary Non Polyposis Colon Cancers (HNPCC) and associated malignancies demonstrating MSI have a unique histological appearance, improved prognosis and altered response to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This review examines the incidence of MSI and its clinical significance in commonly occurring solid malignancies. METHOD A medline based literature search was performed using the key words 'Microsatellite Instability' and the name of the specific malignancy being investigated. Additional original papers were obtained from citations in those articles identified in the original medline search. RESULTS MSI has been detected in many solid malignancies although the definition of instability applied has been variable. It is most commonly found in sporadic malignancies that also occur in the HNPCC syndrome such as colorectal, stomach, endometrial and ovarian cancer. MSI may impart a favorable prognosis in colorectal, gastric, pancreatic and probably oesophageal cancers but a poor prognosis in non small cell lung cancer. In clinical studies colorectal cancers demonstrating MSI respond better to chemotherapy while in vitro studies using MSI positive cell lines show resistance to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. CONCLUSION MSI may be a useful genetic marker in prognosis and could be an influential factor in deciding treatment options. However, in many cancers its significance remains unclear and more evaluation is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- D A Lawes
- Department of Surgery, Royal Free and University College Medical School, University College London, London, WIW 7EJ, UK
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Rodrigues-Serpa A, Catarino A, Soares J. Loss of heterozygosity in follicular and papillary thyroid carcinomas. CANCER GENETICS AND CYTOGENETICS 2003; 141:26-31. [PMID: 12581895 DOI: 10.1016/s0165-4608(02)00686-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In this study we aimed at investigating the incidence and the role of 3p deletions, particularly at the 3p25 approximately pter region, in follicle cell-derived thyroid neoplasms, by using loss of heterozygosity (LOH) analysis. We analyzed 12 follicular adenomas (FA), 13 follicular thyroid carcinomas (FTC), and 15 papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC) with 11 microsatellite markers for chromosome 3. One additional marker on 3q25.2 was also investigated for assessment of deletion extent on 3q. Microsatellite instability was detected at one locus in 1 of 15 PTC (7%) and at four loci in 1 of 13 FTC (8%). Loss of heterozygosity was found in 8 of 12 cases of FTC (67%), in 6 of 15 cases of PTC (40%), and in 2 of 12 FA (17%). We identified three minimal common deleted regions (CDR) involving significant sites of LOH: two in FTC (a new terminal region, of approximately 8 cM distal to D3S1620 at 3p25.3 approximately pter and the D3S1573-D3S1595 region at 3p21.2 approximately p12) and one in PTC (D3S1304-D3S1263 region at 3p25.3 approximately p24.2). The newly identified 3p25.3 approximately pter CDR seems to be specific for FTC. Our results suggest the existence of at least three distinct regions on 3p that might harbor tumor suppressor genes involved in the carcinogenesis processes of FTC and PTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Rodrigues-Serpa
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular-CIPM, Instituto Português de Oncologia R. Prof Lima Basto, 1099-023, Lisboa, Portugal.
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Bauer AJ, Cavalli LR, Rone JD, Francis GL, Burch HB, Tuttle RM, Ringel MD, Stratakis CA, Haddad BR. Evaluation of adult papillary thyroid carcinomas by comparative genomic hybridization and microsatellite instability analysis. CANCER GENETICS AND CYTOGENETICS 2002; 135:182-6. [PMID: 12127404 DOI: 10.1016/s0165-4608(01)00656-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
To clarify the mechanism of tumorigenesis in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and ascertain whether genomic changes correlate with histologic features, we conducted a comprehensive molecular evaluation of PTC using comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) and microsatellite instability (MSI) analysis in a set of 17 histologically well-characterized PTC specimens. To our knowledge, this is the first study that evaluates chromosomal and nucleotide instability in the same PTC tumor specimens. Four of 15 samples (27%) had aberrations detected by CGH. All four had a partial or complete gain of chromosome 20, and 3 of 4 had a partial or complete loss of chromosome 13. No MSI was detected in any of the PTC samples (n=16), and all samples examined by immunohistochemistry (n=9) expressed the DNA repair enzymes hmlh1 and hmsh2. All PTC samples with abnormal CGH had vascular invasion or invasion of the thyroid capsule, and there was a significant correlation between the presence of chromosomal aberrations and capsular/vascular invasion (P=0.026). We conclude that although chromosomal and microsatellite instability are uncommon in PTC, tumors with chromosomal aberrations are more likely to be associated with invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Bauer
- Department of Pediatrics, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, USA, Washington, DC, USA
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Máximo V, Soares P, Lima J, Cameselle-Teijeiro J, Sobrinho-Simões M. Mitochondrial DNA somatic mutations (point mutations and large deletions) and mitochondrial DNA variants in human thyroid pathology: a study with emphasis on Hürthle cell tumors. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2002; 160:1857-65. [PMID: 12000737 PMCID: PMC1850872 DOI: 10.1016/s0002-9440(10)61132-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 183] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
In an attempt to progress in the understanding of the relationship of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) alterations and thyroid tumorigenesis, we studied the mtDNA in 79 benign and malignant tumors (43 Hürthle and 36 non-Hürthle cell neoplasms) and respective normal parenchyma. The mtDNA common deletion (CD) was evaluated by semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction. Somatic point mutations and sequence variants of mtDNA were searched for in 66 tumors (59 patients) and adjacent parenchyma by direct sequencing of 70% of the mitochondrial genome (including all of the 13 OXPHOS system genes). We detected 57 somatic mutations, mostly transitions, in 34 tumors and 253 sequence variants in 59 patients. Follicular and papillary carcinomas carried a significantly higher prevalence of non-silent point mutations of complex I genes than adenomas. We also detected a significantly higher prevalence of complex I and complex IV sequence variants in the normal parenchyma adjacent to the malignant tumors. Every Hürthle cell tumor displayed a relatively high percentage (up to 16%) of mtDNA CD independently of the lesion's histotype. The percentage of deleted mtDNA molecules was significantly higher in tumors with D-loop mutations than in mtDNA stable tumors. Sequence variants of the ATPase 6 gene, one of the complex V genes thought to play a role in mtDNA maintenance and integrity in yeast, were significantly more prevalent in patients with Hürthle cell tumors than in patients with non-Hürthle cell neoplasms. We conclude that mtDNA variants and mtDNA somatic mutations of complex I and complex IV genes seem to be involved in thyroid tumorigenesis. Germline polymorphisms of the ATPase 6 gene are associated with the occurrence of mtDNA CD, the hallmark of Hürthle cell tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valdemar Máximo
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Ohwada M, Suzuki M, Kohno T, Saga Y, Takei Y, Jobo T, Kuramoto H, Sato I. Involvement of microsatellite instability in lymph node metastasis of endometrial carcinoma. CANCER GENETICS AND CYTOGENETICS 2002; 132:152-5. [PMID: 11850079 DOI: 10.1016/s0165-4608(01)00540-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
We evaluated microsatellite instability (MSI) in primary lesions and lymph node metastatic lesions in 66 patients with endometrial carcinoma (FIGO stage IIIC) accompanied by lymph node metastasis. DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded tissue of both the primary and lymph node metastatic lesions of endometrial carcinoma, and MSI was evaluated using microsatellite markers at five loci. Microsatellite instability was positive in the primary lesion in 27 patients (41%). All patients with MSI-positive primary lesions also showed MSI-positive in lymph node metastatic lesions. Of the other 39 patients with MSI-negative primary lesions, 4 showed MSI-positive in lymph node metastatic lesions. As the result of individual identification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using short tandem repeat loci in these 4 patients, PCR profiles of primary and metastatic lesions matched with those of normal controls in all 4 patients. Therefore, it was confirmed that both primary and metastatic lesions developed from the same individual. These results suggest that MSI is also involved in lymph node metastasis in the development and/or progression of endometrial carcinoma in some patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michitaka Ohwada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jichi Medical School, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Minamikawachi, Kawachi, 329-0498, Tochigi, Japan.
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Barcus ME, Powers CN. Evaluation of Endocrine Neoplasms Using Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy. Endocr Pathol 2000; 11:301-313. [PMID: 12114755 DOI: 10.1385/ep:11:4:301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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