1
|
Pinto JO, Livhits MJ, Yeh MW, Kaykov A, Klopper JP, Kloos RT, Alshalalfa M, Hao Y, Huang J, Endo M. Histopathology of telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter ( TERT) mutated indeterminate thyroid nodules. J Clin Transl Endocrinol 2024; 35:100329. [PMID: 38116167 PMCID: PMC10727925 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcte.2023.100329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective The objective of this study was to analyze the risk of malignancy and the histopathology of telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter (TERT) mutated cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules (ITN). Methods A PUBMED search of molecularly tested ITN was conducted and data on TERT mutated ITN with histopathology correlation were extracted. Results Twenty-six manuscripts (published between 2014 and 2022) reported on 77 TERT mutated ITN. Sixty-five nodules were malignant (84 %), with 16 (25 %) described with high-risk histopathology, 5 (8 %) described as low-risk, and most without any description. Isolated TERT mutations were malignant in 26/30 ITNs (87 %) with 9 (35 %) described as high risk and none described as low risk. TERT + RAS mutated ITNs were malignant in 29/34 ITNs (85 %) with 3 (10 %) described as high risk and 4 (14 %) described as low risk. Finally, all 5 TERT + BRAFV600E mutated nodules were malignant and 3/5 (60 %) were described as high risk. Conclusion TERT mutated ITNs have a high risk of malignancy (84 %), and the current data does not show a difference in malignancy rate between isolated TERT mutations and TERT + RAS co-mutated ITNs. When described, TERT + RAS co-mutated ITNs did not have a higher rate of high-risk histopathology as compared to isolated TERT mutated lesions. Most TERT mutated ITNs did not have a description of histopathology risk and the oncologic outcomes, including rate of recurrence, metastases, and disease specific survival, are unknown. Further data is needed to determine if TERT mutated ITNs should be subjected to aggressive initial treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica O Pinto
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Masha J Livhits
- Section of Endocrine Surgery, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michael W Yeh
- Section of Endocrine Surgery, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Atanas Kaykov
- Department of Marketing, Veracyte, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Joshua P Klopper
- Department of Medical Affairs, Veracyte, Inc., South San Francisco, CA. USA
| | - Richard T Kloos
- Department of Medical Affairs, Veracyte, Inc., South San Francisco, CA. USA
| | - Mohammed Alshalalfa
- Department of Research and Development, Veracyte, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Yangyang Hao
- Department of Research and Development, Veracyte, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jing Huang
- Department of Research and Development, Veracyte, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Mayumi Endo
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Nutrition, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Choi JH, Yu HW, Lee JK, Kim W, Choi JY, Na HY, Park SY, Ahn CH, Moon JH, Choi SI, Lee HY, Lee WW, Cha W, Jeong WJ. BRAF V600E and TERT promoter C228T mutations on ThyroSeq v3 analysis of delayed skin metastasis from papillary thyroid cancer: a case report and literature review. World J Surg Oncol 2023; 21:49. [PMID: 36804879 PMCID: PMC9936773 DOI: 10.1186/s12957-023-02937-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Skin metastasis from papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is a rare entity that can occur up to decades after treatment of the primary tumor. Here, we present a patient who developed skin metastasis 10 years after treatment of her primary tumor and describe the molecular findings of the metastatic lesion. CASE PRESENTATION A 44-year-old female with a history of PTC who underwent a total thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment 10 years ago presented with a 1.3-cm skin lesion along the prior thyroidectomy scar. A biopsy revealed metastatic PTC, and the patient underwent surgical excision of the lesion. ThyroSeq molecular testing showed the copresence of BRAFV600E mutation and TERT promoter C228T mutation. The patient subsequently received one round of adjuvant RAI therapy. CONCLUSIONS A high index of suspicion is warranted in patients with a history of PTC who develop a skin lesion, even several years after remission of the primary disease. In patients with high-risk mutations, such as BRAFV600E and TERT promoter C228T mutations, long-term surveillance of disease recurrence is particularly important.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jee-Hye Choi
- grid.412480.b0000 0004 0647 3378Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital and College of Medicine, 82, Gumi-Ro 173 Beon-Gil, Bundang-GuGyeonggi-Do, Seongnam-Si, 13620 Korea ,Department of Surgery, The Mount Sinai Hospital, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1468 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10029 USA
| | - Hyeong Won Yu
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital and College of Medicine, 82, Gumi-Ro 173 Beon-Gil, Bundang-GuGyeonggi-Do, Seongnam-Si, 13620, Korea.
| | - Ja Kyung Lee
- grid.412480.b0000 0004 0647 3378Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital and College of Medicine, 82, Gumi-Ro 173 Beon-Gil, Bundang-GuGyeonggi-Do, Seongnam-Si, 13620 Korea
| | - Woochul Kim
- grid.412480.b0000 0004 0647 3378Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital and College of Medicine, 82, Gumi-Ro 173 Beon-Gil, Bundang-GuGyeonggi-Do, Seongnam-Si, 13620 Korea
| | - June Young Choi
- grid.412480.b0000 0004 0647 3378Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital and College of Medicine, 82, Gumi-Ro 173 Beon-Gil, Bundang-GuGyeonggi-Do, Seongnam-Si, 13620 Korea
| | - Hee Young Na
- grid.412480.b0000 0004 0647 3378Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital and College of Medicine, 82, Gumi-Ro 173 Beon-Gil, Bundang-Gu, Seongnam-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, Korea
| | - So Yeon Park
- grid.412480.b0000 0004 0647 3378Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital and College of Medicine, 82, Gumi-Ro 173 Beon-Gil, Bundang-Gu, Seongnam-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, Korea
| | - Chang Ho Ahn
- grid.412480.b0000 0004 0647 3378Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital and College of Medicine, 82, Gumi-Ro 173 Beon-Gil, Bundang-Gu, Seongnam-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, Korea
| | - Jae Hoon Moon
- grid.412480.b0000 0004 0647 3378Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital and College of Medicine, 82, Gumi-Ro 173 Beon-Gil, Bundang-Gu, Seongnam-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, Korea
| | - Sang Il Choi
- grid.412480.b0000 0004 0647 3378Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital and College of Medicine, 82, Gumi-Ro 173 Beon-Gil, Bundang-Gu, Seongnam-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, Korea
| | - Ho-Young Lee
- grid.412480.b0000 0004 0647 3378Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital and College of Medicine, 82, Gumi-Ro 173 Beon-Gil, Bundang-Gu, Seongnam-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, Korea
| | - Won Woo Lee
- grid.412480.b0000 0004 0647 3378Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital and College of Medicine, 82, Gumi-Ro 173 Beon-Gil, Bundang-Gu, Seongnam-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, Korea
| | - Wonjae Cha
- grid.412480.b0000 0004 0647 3378Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital and College of Medicine, 82, Gumi-Ro 173 Beon-Gil, Bundang-Gu, Seongnam-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, Korea
| | - Woo-Jin Jeong
- grid.412480.b0000 0004 0647 3378Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital and College of Medicine, 82, Gumi-Ro 173 Beon-Gil, Bundang-Gu, Seongnam-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhou J, Wang WR, Zhang HF, Gao QQ, Wang WB, Zhu JH, Han YS, Chen J, Ma TH, Zhang XY, Teng XD. Molecular and clinical features of papillary thyroid cancer in adult patients with a non-classical phenotype. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1138100. [PMID: 37124750 PMCID: PMC10130378 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1138100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Genotyping is fundamental in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and helps to enhance diagnosis and prognosis and determine appropriate treatments. The phenotype-genotype association in PTC was previously studied, with BRAF V600E characterizing classic PTC and tall-cell PTC and RAS mutations characterizing follicular-variant PTC. In clinic, some non-classical histological subtypes of PTC were also identified, however, their genotype remains unclear. In this study, we collected samples of these non-classical PTC after the exclusion of classic phenotypes and examined their phenotypes, genotype and the relationship between phenotype and genotype. Methods We screened out non-classical PTC by excluding classical PTC from 1,059 different thyroid samples, and a total of 24 cases was obtained and described from the morphological features, which is rare in differentiated PTC. DNA/RNA sequencing was performed using 18 available samples to describe the genetic features. Results PTC with the non-classical phenotype were characterized cuboidal to low columnar tumor cells with subtle nuclear features of PTC and without discernible nuclear elongation, concurrently with dense microfollicles, delicate papillae or solid nodules with delicate fibrovascular cores. They were associated with lymphatic vessel invasion (P<0.001) but not with a worse prognosis (P=0.791). Gene fusions were identified in 14 of 18 (77.8%) cases, including eight fusions of NTRK and six fusions of RET. The high percentage of fusions in this papillary thyroid cancer subgroup suggested a correlation of gene fusions with the phenotype that does not belong to the BRAF V600E-mutant or RAS-mutant group. Conclusions Our study retrospectively screened a large cohort of different thyroid tissue samples, and presented the histopathological and genetic features of a non-classical phenotype of PTC from 24 patients. It may contribute to diagnose in PTC, and patients of these non-classical phenotype may benefit from targeted therapy, compared to a natural patient cohort without selection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhou
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei-Ran Wang
- Department of Translational Medicine, Genetron Health (Beijing) Technology, Co. Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Hui-Fang Zhang
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qi-Qi Gao
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei-Bin Wang
- Cancer Center, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jian-Hua Zhu
- Department of Translational Medicine, Genetron Health (Beijing) Technology, Co. Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Yu-Shuai Han
- Department of Translational Medicine, Genetron Health (Beijing) Technology, Co. Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Jing Chen
- Department of Translational Medicine, Genetron Health (Beijing) Technology, Co. Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Tong-Hui Ma
- Department of Translational Medicine, Genetron Health (Beijing) Technology, Co. Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Zhang
- Department of Translational Medicine, Genetron Health (Beijing) Technology, Co. Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Dong Teng
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Xiao-Dong Teng,
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kim SY, Jung CK. Frequency of TERT Promoter Mutations in Real-World Analysis of 2,092 Thyroid Carcinoma Patients (Endocrinol Metab 2022;37:652-63, Heera Yang et al.). Endocrinol Metab (Seoul) 2022; 37:947-948. [PMID: 36353807 PMCID: PMC9816498 DOI: 10.3803/enm.2022.1596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sue Youn Kim
- Department of Hospital Pathology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chan Kwon Jung
- Department of Hospital Pathology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
- Cancer Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
- Corresponding author: Chan Kwon Jung. Department of Hospital Pathology, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul 06591, Korea Tel: +82-2-2258-1622, Fax: +82-2-2258-1627, E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Chen Z, Wang W, Xu J, Song Y, Zhu H, Ma T, Ge M, Guan H. Tumor mutation burden-assisted risk stratification for papillary thyroid cancer. Endocrine 2022; 78:296-305. [PMID: 35962256 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-022-03154-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Although papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) has a low mortality rate, the rate of recurrence remains relatively high. This study aims to develop a molecular signature to predict the recurrence of PTC. METHODS A total of 333 PTC patients' data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were included. We calculated tumor mutation burden (TMB) and analyzed the mutation status of BRAF and TERT promoter. RESULTS Tumor recurrence occurred in 17 of 263 cases in TMB-L patients versus 14 of 70 cases in TMB-H patients (hazard ratio [HR], 3.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.75-7.21; P < 0.001). The HR for recurrence in TMB-H patients remained significant after adjustment for classical clinicopathologic factors (patient age, gender, extrathyroidal extension and lymph node metastasis). These clinical factors had no effect on recurrence rate in TMB-L patients, but had a strong adverse effect on the prognosis of TMB-H patients. Compared with TMB-L patients lacking mutation, the HR (95% CI) of recurrence for TMB-H patients with coexisting BRAF V600E and/or TERT C228/250 T mutations was 6.68 (2.41-18.57), which remained significant after adjustment for clinicopathological factors. The mutation status of BRAF V600E and TERT C228/250 T had little effect on PTC recurrence in TMB-L patients. Either of the mutation was associated with high recurrence rate in TMB-H patients. CONCLUSIONS The presence of BRAF V600E and/or TERT promoter mutations denotes a high risk of recurrence in TMB-H patients. This represents a powerful molecular prognostic genotype that can help predict patients with the highest risk of recurrence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhijiang Chen
- Department of Endocrinology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Weiran Wang
- Department of Translational Medicine, Genetron Health (Beijing) Technology, Co. Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Jiajie Xu
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Afliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yuntao Song
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Honglin Zhu
- Department of Translational Medicine, Genetron Health (Beijing) Technology, Co. Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Tonghui Ma
- Department of Translational Medicine, Genetron Health (Beijing) Technology, Co. Ltd., Beijing, China.
| | - Minghua Ge
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Afliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
| | - Haixia Guan
- Department of Endocrinology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Elia G, Ferrari SM, Ragusa F, Paparo SR, Mazzi V, Ulisse S, Benvenga S, Antonelli A, Fallahi P. Advances in pharmacotherapy for advanced thyroid cancer of follicular origin (PTC, FTC). New approved drugs and future therapies. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2022; 23:599-610. [PMID: 35038965 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2022.2030704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The most common altered signaling found in aggressive iodine-refractory Thyroid cancer derived from follicular cells (RAI-TC) are RTK, MAPK, PI3K, WNT, BRAF, RAS, RET, and TP53. Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKI) are multi-kinase inhibitors able to act against different pathways, that elicit an anti-neoplastic activity. AREAS COVERED The aim of this paper is to review recent novel molecular therapies of RAI-TC. Recently, sorafenib and lenvatinib, have been approved for the treatment of aggressive RAI-TC. Other studies are evaluating vandetanib and selumetinib in RAI-TC. Furthermore, preliminary studies have evaluated dabrafenib, and vemurafenib in BRAF mutated RAI-TC patients to re-induce 131-iodine uptake. The interplay between cells of the immune system and cancer cells can be altered by immune checkpoints inhibitors. The expression of PDL1 in RAI-TC was related to tumor recurrence and poor survival. Several clinical trials are investigating a combination of different therapies, such as lenvatinib and pembrolizumab. EXPERT OPINION Mechanisms of resistance to TKIs inhibitors can be of intrinsic or acquired origin. An acquired resistance to lenvatinib, or sorafenib can be due to upregulation of FGFR; therefore anti-FGFR agents are evaluated. A new strategy is to combine TKIs with immunotherapy. Several studies are evaluating lenvatinib and pembrolizumab in RAI-TC patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giusy Elia
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Ragusa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Valeria Mazzi
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Salvatore Ulisse
- Department of Experimental Medicine, 'Sapienza' University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore Benvenga
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.,Master Program on Childhood, Adolescent and Women's Endocrine Health, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.,Interdepartmental Program of Molecular and Clinical Endocrinology and Women's Endocrine Health, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico 'G. Martino', I-98125, Messina, Italy
| | - Alessandro Antonelli
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Poupak Fallahi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
TERT Promoter Mutations Increase Sense and Antisense Transcription from the TERT Promoter. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9121773. [PMID: 34944589 PMCID: PMC8698883 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9121773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Chief among mechanisms of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) reactivation is the appearance of mutations in the TERT promoter. The two main TERT promoter mutations are C>T transitions located −146C>T and −124C>T upstream from the translational start site. They generate a novel Ets/TCF binding site. Both mutations are mutually exclusive and −124C>T is strikingly overrepresented in most cancers. We investigated whether this mutational bias and mutual exclusion could be due to transcriptional constraints. Methods: We compared sense and antisense transcription of a panel of TERT promoter-luciferase vectors harboring the −124C>T and -146C>T mutations alone or together. lncRNA TAPAS levels were measured by RT-PCR. Results: Both mutations generally increased TERT transcription by 2–4-fold regardless of upstream and downstream regulatory elements. The double mutant increased transcription in an additive fashion, arguing against a direct transcriptional constraint. The −146C>T mutation, alone or in combination with −124C>T, also unleashed antisense transcription. In line with this finding, lncRNA TAPAS was higher in cells with mutated TERT promoter (T98G and U87) than in cells with wild-type promoter, suggesting that lncRNA TAPAS may balance the effect of TERT promoter mutations. Conclusions: −146C>T and −124C>T TERT promoter mutations increase TERT sense and antisense transcription, and the double mutant features higher transcription levels. Increased antisense transcription may contain TERT expression within sustainable levels.
Collapse
|
8
|
Suster D, Mackinnon AC, Nosé V, Suster S. Solid Thyroid Follicular Nodules With Longitudinal Nuclear Grooves: Clinicopathologic, Immunohistochemical, and Molecular Genetic Study of 18 Cases. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2021; 146:984-993. [PMID: 34739542 DOI: 10.5858/arpa.2020-0816-oa] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT.— Follicular thyroid nodules can be a source of diagnostic difficulties, particularly when they display atypical features commonly associated with malignancy, such as nuclear grooves. OBJECTIVE.— To differentiate lesions with atypical features from similar-appearing benign and malignant lesions. DESIGN.— Eighteen cases of atypical follicular thyroid nodules characterized by a solid growth pattern and prominent longitudinal nuclear grooves were studied and examined for clinicopathologic characteristics. RESULTS.— The lesions occurred in 16 women and 2 men aged 36 to 88 years and measured from 0.2 to 1.5 cm. The tumors were well circumscribed and noninvasive, and histologically characterized by a predominantly solid growth pattern with rare scattered follicles or a combination of solid growth pattern with minor follicular areas. A striking feature seen in all cases was the occurrence of longitudinal nuclear grooves. Immunohistochemical stains showed negativity for cytokeratin 19 (CK19) and HBME-1 in 8 cases; in the other 10, there was focal positivity for HBME-1 in 4 cases and diffuse positivity in 6. All cases were negative for galectin-3 and for CK19, with the exception of 1 case, which was CK19+/HBME-1-. Next-generation sequencing of 16 cases with a 161-gene panel detected 14 single nucleotide variants in 12 cases, predominantly NRAS and HRAS mutations. Clinical follow-up ranging from 18 to 72 months (median, 43.7 months) did not disclose any evidence of recurrence or metastases. CONCLUSIONS.— We interpret these lesions as low-grade, indolent follicular proliferations that need to be distinguished from papillary thyroid carcinoma, follicular adenoma, and noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasms with papillary-like nuclear features.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Suster
- From the Departments of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston (D. Suster, Nosé)
| | | | - Vania Nosé
- From the Departments of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston (D. Suster, Nosé)
| | - Saul Suster
- The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee (S. Suster). D. Suster is currently at the Department of Pathology, Rutgers University School of Medicine, Newark, New Jersey
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Liu C, Zhou X, Pan Y, Liu Y, Zhang Y. Pyruvate carboxylase promotes thyroid cancer aggressiveness through fatty acid synthesis. BMC Cancer 2021; 21:722. [PMID: 34158007 PMCID: PMC8220755 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-021-08499-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pyruvate carboxylase (PC) is an important anaplerotic enzyme in the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) in cancer cells. Although PC overexpression has been observed in thyroid cancer (TC), the mechanisms involved in the carcinogenic effects of PC are still unclear. Methods Bioinformatics analysis and clinical specimens were used to analyze the relationship of PC expression with clinicopathological variables in TC. Fatty acid synthesis was monitored by LC/MS, Nile red staining, and triglyceride analysis. Mitochondrial oxygen consumption was evaluated by the Seahorse XF Mito Cell Stress Test. The correlation of PC with FASN and SREBP1c was assessed by qRT-PCR and IHC in 38 human TC tissues. Western blotting was used to evaluate the protein expression of PC, FASN, and SREBP1c and members of the AKT/mTOR and EMT pathways in TC cell lines. Wound-healing, CCK-8, and Transwell assays and a nude mouse xenograft model were used to verify the regulatory effects of PC and SREBP1c on thyroid tumor cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Results We demonstrated that PC increased fatty acid synthesis, which then promoted TC progression and metastasis. Analysis of GEO data showed that the overexpression of PC in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) was associated with PTC invasion and the fatty acid synthesis pathway. Analysis of clinical tissue specimens from PTC patients revealed that PC was more highly expressed in specimens from PTC patients with lymph node metastasis than in those from patients without metastasis. Multiple genes in the fatty acid synthesis signaling pathway, including FASN and SREBP1c, were downregulated in PC-knockdown TC cells compared to control cells. Lipid levels were also decreased in the PC-knockdown TC cells. Moreover, the ability of cells to grow, invade, and metastasize was also suppressed upon PC knockdown, suggesting that PC-mediated lipogenesis activation increases the aggressiveness of TC cells. In addition, PC was found to activate the AKT/mTOR pathway, thus improving FASN-mediated de novo lipogenesis in TC cells by upregulating SREBP1c expression. Studies in a nude mouse xenograft model showed that PC knockdown decreased tumor weight, but this effect was attenuated by forced expression of SREBP1c. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that PC is strongly involved in the tumor aggressiveness of TC via its stimulation of fatty acid synthesis. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-021-08499-9.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chang Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 197, Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Xiang Zhou
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Pan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 197, Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 197, Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yifan Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 197, Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ghaffari T, Hong JH, Asnaashari S, Farajnia S, Delazar A, Hamishehkar H, Kim KH. Natural Phytochemicals Derived from Gymnosperms in the Prevention and Treatment of Cancers. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:6636. [PMID: 34205739 PMCID: PMC8234227 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of various types of cancer is increasing globally. To reduce the critical side effects of cancer chemotherapy, naturally derived compounds have been considered for cancer treatment. Gymnosperms are a group of plants found worldwide that have traditionally been used for therapeutic applications. Paclitaxel is a commercially available anticancer drug derived from gymnosperms. Other natural compounds with anticancer activities, such as pinostrobin and pinocembrin, are extracted from pine heartwood, and pycnogenol and enzogenol from pine bark. Gymnosperms have great potential for further study for the discovery of new anticancer compounds. This review aims to provide a rational understanding and the latest developments in potential anticancer compounds derived from gymnosperms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tayyebeh Ghaffari
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 15731, Iran; (T.G.); (S.F.)
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 15731, Iran
| | - Joo-Hyun Hong
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Korea;
| | - Solmaz Asnaashari
- Biotechnology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 15731, Iran;
| | - Safar Farajnia
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 15731, Iran; (T.G.); (S.F.)
| | - Abbas Delazar
- Research Center for Evidence based Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 15731, Iran;
| | - Hamed Hamishehkar
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 15731, Iran; (T.G.); (S.F.)
| | - Ki-Hyun Kim
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Korea;
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Liu C, Zhang L, Liu Y, Zhao Q, Pan Y, Zhang Y. Value of Pyruvate Carboxylase in Thyroid Fine-Needle Aspiration Wash-Out Fluid for Predicting Papillary Thyroid Cancer Lymph Node Metastasis. Front Oncol 2021; 11:643416. [PMID: 34136384 PMCID: PMC8202284 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.643416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is increasing. Lymph node metastatic status of PTC is a major factor for decision marking of surgery and surgical extend, however, no reliable tool exists for prediction of PTC nodal metastasis, for example, ultrasound cannot qualitatively diagnose and effectively detect central lymph node metastasis (CLNM). Therefore, the development of a new diagnostic biomarker is crucial for CLNM. Metabolic dysregulation is an important factor associated with malignancy and metastasis of tumors. Pyruvate carboxylase (PC) is a major anaplerotic enzyme that catalyzes the carboxylation of pyruvate to form oxaloacetate, which has been suggested to be involved in the tumorigenesis of several cancers, including PTC. This study aimed to explore the role of PC expression in thyroid fine-needle aspiration (FNA) wash-out fluid for predicting CLNM in PTC, and to explore how PC is involved in PTC development. The expression levels of PC in PTC tissues and normal thyroid tissues were first compared based on bioinformatics analysis of public databases, including the Gene Expression Profiling (GEPIA), Oncomine and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. Then, the PC mRNA and protein expression levels were measured by RT-PCR and Immunohistochemistry (IHC) in surgical tissues from a total of 42 patients with surgically confirmed PTC, and compared in patients with and without CLNM. Further, to assess PC expression in diagnostic biopsies, a total of 71 thyroid nodule patients with ultrasound-guided FNA wash-out fluid samples and cytological diagnosis were prospectively enrolled in the study. Then, we analyzed the mechanism of PC-mediated PTC progression in vitro. This study showed that PC expression was higher in PTC tissues and thyroid FNA wash-out fluid samples from patients with CLNM than those from patients without CLNM, and that PC-induced PTC metastasis may occur through the TGF-β/Smad-regulated epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chang Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lu Zhang
- Department of Ultrasound, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingqing Zhao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Pan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yifan Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Jaffar S, Jayasekara J, Aniss AM, Tsang VHM, Learoyd DL, Clifton-Bligh R, Gill AJ, Glover AR, Sidhu SB, Robinson B, Sywak M. Predicting distant metastatic disease in differentiated thyroid cancer: a matched case-control study. ANZ J Surg 2021; 91:716-723. [PMID: 33590959 DOI: 10.1111/ans.16652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Revised: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The occurrence of distant metastasis (DM) is the most important prognostic factor influencing survival outcomes in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Identifying patients who are likely to develop DM and offering these cases more aggressive surgical approaches and I-131 therapy, is paramount to achieving the best possible outcomes. DM on presentation in DTC are uncommon, with an incidence of 1-9%. However, the incidence of DTC is rising and the disease affects a relatively young cohort of patients. The aims of this study were to investigate predictive factors in the development of DM by comparing a homogenous group of DTC patients with and without DM, and to illustrate the overall and disease-specific survival (DSS) rates of DTC patients presenting with DM. METHODS A matched case-control study of patients with DTC and DM was undertaken. The study group comprised a consecutive series of cases with DM treated in the period 1968-2014. Patients with DM at initial presentation were identified (DTC-DM group). A control group of patients without DM were matched based on age, gender, tumour size and histological subtype. The primary outcome measures were overall and disease-free survival. Secondary outcome measures were lymph node involvement (LNI), extra-thyroidal extension (ETE) of tumour and presence of BRAFV600E mutation identified on immunohistochemistry. RESULTS A total of 2547 patients with DTC were reviewed and of these 83 (3.26%) had DM at initial presentation. At 5 and 10 years, the overall survival rates for DTC-DM patients were 89.6% and 64%, respectively. The 5 and 10 year DSS rates for DTC-DM cases were 90.2% and 67.3%, respectively. When compared to the DTC group, the DTC-DM group had significantly higher rates of ETE (63% vs. 29.5%, P < 0.0001) and LNI (32.5% vs. 18.8%, P = 0.044). Among patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), the presence of BRAFV600E mutation was significantly associated with DM (62.2% vs. 36.8%, P = 0.028). CONCLUSION ETE, LNI and BRAFV600E mutation in PTC are significant predictors for the development of distant metastatic disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sukaina Jaffar
- Endocrine Surgical Unit, Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Northern Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jayani Jayasekara
- Endocrine Surgical Unit, Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Northern Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ahmad M Aniss
- Endocrine Surgical Unit, Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Venessa H M Tsang
- Northern Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Department of Endocrinology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Diana L Learoyd
- Northern Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Department of Endocrinology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Roderick Clifton-Bligh
- Department of Endocrinology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Cancer Genetics Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Univerisity of Sydney and Northern Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Anthony J Gill
- NSW Health Pathology, Department of Anatomical Pathology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Cancer Diagnosis and Pathology Group, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney and Northern Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Anothony R Glover
- Endocrine Surgical Unit, Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Northern Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Stan B Sidhu
- Endocrine Surgical Unit, Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Northern Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Bruce Robinson
- Northern Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Department of Endocrinology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mark Sywak
- Endocrine Surgical Unit, Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Northern Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Thyroid Carcinoma: Phenotypic Features, Underlying Biology and Potential Relevance for Targeting Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22041950. [PMID: 33669363 PMCID: PMC7920269 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Thyroid carcinoma consists a group of phenotypically heterogeneous cancers. Recent advances in biological technologies have been advancing the delineation of genetic, epigenetic, and non-genetic factors that contribute to the heterogeneities of these cancers. In this review article, we discuss new findings that are greatly improving the understanding of thyroid cancer biology and facilitating the identification of novel targets for therapeutic intervention. We review the phenotypic features of different subtypes of thyroid cancers and their underlying biology. We discuss recent discoveries in thyroid cancer heterogeneities and the critical mechanisms contributing to the heterogeneity with emphases on genetic and epigenetic factors, cancer stemness traits, and tumor microenvironments. We also discuss the potential relevance of the intratumor heterogeneity in understanding therapeutic resistance and how new findings in tumor biology can facilitate designing novel targeting therapies for thyroid cancer.
Collapse
|
14
|
Chin PD, Zhu CY, Sajed DP, Fishbein GA, Yeh MW, Leung AM, Livhits MJ. Correlation of ThyroSeq Results with Surgical Histopathology in Cytologically Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules. Endocr Pathol 2020; 31:377-384. [PMID: 32671653 DOI: 10.1007/s12022-020-09641-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The ThyroSeq next-generation sequencing test refines the risk of malignancy in cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules. Specific genetic alterations have distinct cancer probabilities and clinical phenotypes. There is limited data on the association between specific genetic alterations and histopathologic features. The aim of this study was to evaluate specific ThyroSeq alterations in prognosticating high-risk histopathologic characteristics. We performed a retrospective single-institution study of all patients diagnosed with indeterminate thyroid nodules (May 2016-December 2019) who had a mutation identified with ThyroSeq v2 or v3 and underwent surgical resection. Specific genetic alterations were correlated with surgical histopathology. The main outcomes were risk of malignancy and structural recurrence risk based on histopathologic features and the 2015 American Thyroid Association (ATA) risk stratification. Of the 78 nodules, 50 (64%) were thyroid cancer or noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP) on surgical histopathology. Nodules with high-risk TERT or TP53 combination mutations (TERT/TP53) and those with BRAF-like mutations were associated with a 100% probability of cancer and higher rates of extrathyroidal extension and regional nodal involvement than nodules with RAS-like mutations. Among nodules with RAS-like mutations, there was an even distribution between benign, NIFTP, and malignant results, the latter of which were all ATA low risk for structural disease recurrence. Overall, TERT/TP53 and BRAF-like ThyroSeq mutations are associated with an increased cancer probability and risk of recurrence defined by histopathologic features, while RAS-like mutations are associated with lower cancer probability and indolent disease. Individualized management, including extent of surgery, should be considered based on specific genetic alterations found in cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick D Chin
- Section of Endocrine Surgery, University of California Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine, 10833 Le Conte Ave, Suite 72-228 CHS, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Catherine Y Zhu
- Section of Endocrine Surgery, University of California Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine, 10833 Le Conte Ave, Suite 72-228 CHS, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Dipti P Sajed
- Division of Anatomic Pathology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Gregory A Fishbein
- Division of Anatomic Pathology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michael W Yeh
- Section of Endocrine Surgery, University of California Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine, 10833 Le Conte Ave, Suite 72-228 CHS, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Angela M Leung
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, University of California Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Masha J Livhits
- Section of Endocrine Surgery, University of California Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine, 10833 Le Conte Ave, Suite 72-228 CHS, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Fallahi P, Ferrari SM, Galdiero MR, Varricchi G, Elia G, Ragusa F, Paparo SR, Benvenga S, Antonelli A. Molecular targets of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in thyroid cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2020; 79:180-196. [PMID: 33249201 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid cancer (TC) is the eighth most frequently diagnosed cancer worldwide with a rising incidence in the past 20 years. Surgery is the primary strategy of therapy for patients with medullary TC (MTC) and differentiated TC (DTC). In DTC patients, radioactive iodine (RAI) is administered after thyroidectomy. Neck ultrasound, basal and thyroid-stimulating hormone-stimulated thyroglobulin are generally performed every three to six months for the first year, with subsequent intervals depending on initial risk assessment, for the detection of possible persistent/recurrent disease during the follow up. Distant metastases are present at the diagnosis in ∼5 % of DTC patients; up to 15 % of patients have recurrences during the follow up, with a survival reduction (70 %-50 %) at 10-year. During tumor progression, the iodide uptake capability of DTC cancer cells can be lost, making them refractory to RAI, with a negative impact on the prognosis. Significant advances have been done recently in our understanding of the molecular pathways implicated in the progression of TCs. Several drugs have been developed, which inhibit signaling kinases or oncogenic kinases (BRAFV600E, RET/PTC), such as those associated with Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptor and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor. Tyrosine kinase receptors are involved in cancer cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and lymphangiogenesis. Several tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are emerging as new treatments for DTC, MTC and anaplastic TC (ATC), and can induce a clinical response and stabilize the disease. Lenvatinib and sorafenib reached the approval for RAI-refractory DTC, whereas cabozantinib and vandetanib for MTC. These TKIs extend median progression-free survival, but do not increase the overall survival. Severe side effects and drug resistance can develop in TC patients treated with TKIs. Additional studies are needed to identify a potential effective targeted therapy for aggressive TCs, according to their molecular characterization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Poupak Fallahi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Silvia Martina Ferrari
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Galdiero
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; Center for Basic and Clinical Immunology Research, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; World Allergy Organization Center of Excellence, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology "Gaetano Salvatore", National Research Council, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Gilda Varricchi
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; Center for Basic and Clinical Immunology Research, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; World Allergy Organization Center of Excellence, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology "Gaetano Salvatore", National Research Council, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giusy Elia
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Ragusa
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sabrina Rosaria Paparo
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Salvatore Benvenga
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy; Master Program on Childhood, Adolescent and Women's Endocrine Health, University of Messina, Messina, Italy; Interdepartmental Program on Molecular & Clinical Endocrinology, and Women's Endocrine Health, University Hospital, A.O.U. Policlinico Gaetano Martino, Messina, Italy
| | - Alessandro Antonelli
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Jung CK, Jung SH, Jeon S, Jeong YM, Kim Y, Lee S, Bae JS, Chung YJ. Risk Stratification Using a Novel Genetic Classifier Including PLEKHS1 Promoter Mutations for Differentiated Thyroid Cancer with Distant Metastasis. Thyroid 2020; 30:1589-1600. [PMID: 32326836 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2019.0459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Background: Although most differentiated thyroid carcinomas (DTCs) have indolent behavior, DTCs with distant metastasis have a poor prognosis. However, there are no validated markers that predict the risk of distant metastasis and the prognosis of DTC. We aimed to develop a genetic classifier for predicting the outcomes of DTC patients with distant metastases. Methods: Targeted deep sequencing of 157 cancer-related genes was performed for 61 DTCs with distant metastases. A candidate mutation was validated with independent thyroid cancer samples using digital polymerase chain reaction. Results: The most frequently mutated gene in the 61 DTCs was BRAF (n = 31, 51%), followed by TERT promoter (n = 28, 46%), NRAS (n = 13, 11%), PLEKHS1 promoter (n = 6, 10%), and STK11 (n = 6, 10%) mutations. PLEKHS1 promoter mutations were more common in the radioactive iodine (RAI)-refractory cases (p = 0.003). Losses of 9q and 11q were associated with RAI-refractory disease (p = 0.002) and cancer-specific mortality (p = 0.028), respectively. In multivariate analysis, bone metastasis (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 15.17, 95% confidence interval [CI 3.38-68.06], p < 0.001) and at least one mutation in the TERT promoter, the PLEKHS1 promoter, or TP53 (aOR = 7.64 [CI 1.78-32.76], p = 0.006) remained significant factors associated with RAI-refractoriness. In independently collected papillary thyroid carcinomas without initial distant metastasis (n = 75), a PLEKHS1 promoter mutation was only found in one case that developed distant metastasis during the follow-up period. We developed a genetic classifier consisting of BRAF, RAS, the TERT promoter, the PLEKHS1 promoter, and TP53 for categorizing the prognosis of patients with DTC with distant metastasis. In the poor-prognosis group, 61% of the patients were RAI-refractory and death occurred in 21% during the follow-up. In the intermediate-prognosis group, 29% were RAI-refractory, but no death occurred. In the good-prognosis group, all patients were RAI-responsive and no death occurred. Conclusions: Mutations in the PLEKHS1 promoter are a novel genetic marker of aggressive DTC. Our genetic classifier can be useful for predicting RAI-refractory disease and poor prognosis in DTC patients with distant metastases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chan Kwon Jung
- Department of Hospital Pathology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Cancer Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Hyun Jung
- Cancer Evolution Research Center, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sora Jeon
- Department of Hospital Pathology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Cancer Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Mun Jeong
- Department of Hospital Pathology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Cancer Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedicine and Health Sciences, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yourha Kim
- Department of Hospital Pathology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Cancer Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sohee Lee
- Cancer Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ja-Seong Bae
- Cancer Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeun-Jun Chung
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- IRCGP, Precision Medicine Research Center, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Chiacchiarini M, Trocchianesi S, Besharat ZM, Po A, Ferretti E. Role of tissue and circulating microRNAs and DNA as biomarkers in medullary thyroid cancer. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 219:107708. [PMID: 33091426 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare neuroendocrine tumor comprising hereditary or sporadic form with frequent mutations in the rearranged during transfection (RET) or RAS genes. Diagnosis is based on the presence of thyroid tumor mass with altered levels of calcitonin (Ctn) and carcinoembryonal antigen (CEA) in the serum and/or in the cytological smears from fine needle aspiration biopsies. Treatment consists of total thyroidectomy, followed by tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKi) in case of disease persistence. During TKi treatment, Ctn and CEA levels can fluctuate regardless of tumor volume, metastasis or response to therapy. Research for more reliable non-invasive biomarkers in MTC is still underway. In this context, circulating nucleic acids, namely circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) and cell free DNA (cfDNA), have been evaluated by different research groups. Aiming to shed light on whether miRNAs and cfDNA are suitable as MTC biomarkers we searched three different databases, PubMed, Scopus, WOS and reviewed the literature. We classified 83 publications fulfilling our search criteria and summarized the results. We report data on miRNAs and cfDNA that can be evaluated for validation in independent studies and clinical application.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sofia Trocchianesi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Agnese Po
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Ferretti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Yuan X, Liu T, Xu D. Telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter mutations in thyroid carcinomas: implications in precision oncology-a narrative review. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2020; 8:1244. [PMID: 33178776 PMCID: PMC7607115 DOI: 10.21037/atm-20-5024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein enzyme with telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) as a catalytic component. In normal human follicular thyroid cells or thyrocytes, telomerase is silent due to the TERT gene being tightly repressed. However, during the formation of thyroid carcinoma (TC), telomerase becomes activated via TERT induction. The TERT promoter’s gain-of-function mutation has recently been identified in TCs and many other malignancies. The mutation creates a de novo ETS-binding motif through which TERT transcription is de-repressed and telomerase is activated; through this, the mutant TERT promoter promotes the development of TC, contributes to disease aggressiveness and treatment resistance, and thereby leads to poor patient outcomes. From a clinical point of view, the strong association between the TERT promoter mutation and disease malignancy and aggressiveness holds great promise for its value in TC diagnostics, risk stratification, prognostication, treatment decision, and follow-up design. In the present review article, we summarize the recent findings of studies of TERT promoter mutations in TC and underscore the implications of TERT hyperactivity driven by genetic events in the pathogenesis and management of TC. Finally, the targeting of TERT promoter mutations and the disruption of telomere maintenance are considered as potential therapeutic strategies against TC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotian Yuan
- School of Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Solna, Sweden
| | - Tiantian Liu
- School of Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Dawei Xu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Solna, Sweden.,Karolinska Institute-Shandong University Collaborative Laboratory for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Jinan, China
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Jung CK, Lee S, Bae JS, Lim DJ. Late-onset distant metastases confer poor prognosis in patients with well-differentiated thyroid cancer. Gland Surg 2020; 9:1857-1866. [PMID: 33224861 DOI: 10.21037/gs-20-416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Background Distant metastases from well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma (WDTC) occasionally occur over a wide range of time intervals after primary thyroid surgery. The prognostic impact of the timing of distant metastasis onset remains unclear. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the clinicopathologic features and clinical outcomes of 57 patients with WDTC and distant metastases, and evaluated the mutational profiles of BRAF, RAS, and TERT promoter genes. All patients underwent thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine (RAI) ablation using the same treatment protocol. Synchronous distant metastases were defined as those detected within 12 months of the primary WDTC diagnosis. Metachronous metastases were considered early- and late-onset diseases if detected 1-5 and ≥5 years after the primary diagnosis, respectively. Results In all patients, the 5- and 10-year cancer-specific survival (CSS) rates after the diagnosis of distant metastasis were 86% and 57%, respectively. Late-onset (≥5 years) metachronous distant metastasis was associated with age of ≥55 years (P=0.043) and patients refractory to RAI therapy (P=0.026). TERT promoter mutations were associated with RAI refractivity (P=0.026). BRAF V600E and RAS mutations had no prognostic significance. Bone metastasis (P=0.002) and the onset time of distant metastasis (P=0.004) were associated with poor CSS. There was no significant difference in CSS between patients with synchronous distant metastases and those with early-onset (1-5 years) metachronous distant metastases. In the multivariate analysis, bone metastasis [hazard ratio (HR) =10.24; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.25-83.74; P=0.030] and late-onset (≥5 years) metachronous distant metastasis (HR =5.20; 95% CI: 1.01-26.63; P=0.048) were independent predictors for worse CSS. Conclusions The prognosis of patients with WDTC was poorer for late metachronously detected metastases than for synchronous or early metachronous metastases. Patients with distant metastasis occurring 5 years later after primary thyroid diagnosis should, therefore, be more carefully treated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chan Kwon Jung
- Department of Hospital Pathology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.,Cancer Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sohee Lee
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ja Seong Bae
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dong-Jun Lim
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Kachko VA, Platonova NM, Vanushko VE, Shifman BM. [The role of molecular testing in thyroid tumors]. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 66:33-46. [PMID: 33351337 DOI: 10.14341/probl12491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2020] [Revised: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
¹I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia; ²Endocrinology Research Centre, Moscow, Russia Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine gland cancer. In the last few decades, the molecular diagnostics for thyroid tumors have been widely researched. It is one of the few cancers whose incidence has increased in recent years from microcarcinomas to common, large forms, in all age groups, from children to the elder people. Most researches focus on the genetic basis, since our current knowledge of the genetic background of various forms of thyroid cancer is far from being complete. Molecular and genetic research has several main directions: firstly, differential diagnosis of thyroid tumors, secondly, the prognostic value of detected mutations in thyroid cancer, and thirdly, targeted therapy for aggressive or radioactive iodine-resistant forms of thyroid cancer. In this review, we wanted to update our understanding and describe the prevailing advances in molecular genetics of thyroid cancer, focusing on the main genes associated with the pathology and their potential application in clinical practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vera A Kachko
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University)
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Torrez M, Braunberger RC, Yilmaz E, Agarwal S. Primary squamous cell carcinoma of thyroid with a novel BRAF mutation and High PDL-1 expression: A case report with treatment implications and review of literature. Pathol Res Pract 2020; 216:153146. [PMID: 32853962 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2020.153146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Primary squamous cell carcinoma of thyroid (SCC-T) is an extremely rare, aggressive neoplasm with median survival of 9 months. Pure squamous morphology with absence of other cell types is required for diagnosis of SCC-T. Clinically, SCC-T behaves like anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) showing rapid growth, and extra thyroidal extension. We report a 91-year-old woman presenting with an enlarging thyroid mass and accompanying dysphagia and hoarseness. Fine needle aspiration revealed hypercellular specimen with large, pleomorphic, malignant cells. Intraoperative assessment revealed an inoperable tumor involving both thyroid lobes and extensively infiltrating surrounding soft tissues. A subtotal thyroidectomy was performed. Histology revealed squamous cell carcinoma replacing native thyroid tissue and infiltrating adjacent skeletal muscle. Lymphovascular and perineural invasion were present. Immunohistochemistry showed tumor cells positive for CK5-p40, Pax-8, TTF-1 and negative for thyroglobulin. P53 expression by IHC was high and Ki-67 proliferation index was > 90 %. (Next generation sequencing revealed a novel BRAF mutation (BRAF c.1799 T > A; 1801_1812del) along with TP53 and TERT mutations. PDL-1 immunohistochemistry showed positive expression in tumor cells (>80%), making patient also amenable to anti-PDL-1 immunotherapy. Patient was treated with BRAF inhibitor therapy with initial relief but eventually was put on hospice care due to increasing intolerance to therapy. This case represents a rare thyroid malignancy with a unique molecular signature consisting of a novel BRAF mutation [previously not described in SCC-T or ATC], associated with TERT-TP53 mutations. Further, importance of PDL-1 testing as a prognostic marker and as a guide to immunotherapy in refractory tumors is discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mary Torrez
- Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
| | - Ryan C Braunberger
- Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
| | - Emrullah Yilmaz
- Department of Oncology/ Hematology, University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
| | - Shweta Agarwal
- Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Kumari S, Adewale R, Klubo-Gwiezdzinska J. The Molecular Landscape of Hürthle Cell Thyroid Cancer Is Associated with Altered Mitochondrial Function-A Comprehensive Review. Cells 2020; 9:E1570. [PMID: 32605113 PMCID: PMC7408323 DOI: 10.3390/cells9071570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 06/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hürthle cell thyroid carcinoma (HTC) accounts for 3-5% of all thyroid malignancies. Widely invasive HTC is characterized by poor prognosis and limited responsiveness to standard therapy with radioiodine. The molecular landscape of HTC is significantly different from the genetic signature seen in other forms of thyroid cancer. We performed a comprehensive literature review on the association between the molecular features of HTC and cancer metabolism. We searched the Pubmed, Embase, and Medline databases for clinical and translational studies published between 1980 and 2020 in English, coupling "HTC" with the following keywords: "genomic analysis", "mutations", "exome sequencing", "molecular", "mitochondria", "metabolism", "oxidative phosphorylation", "glycolysis", "oxidative stress", "reactive oxygen species", and "oncogenes". HTC is characterized by frequent complex I mitochondrial DNA mutations as early clonal events. This genetic signature is associated with the abundance of malfunctioning mitochondria in cancer cells. HTC relies predominantly on aerobic glycolysis as a source of energy production, as oxidative phosphorylation-related genes are downregulated. The enhanced glucose utilization by HTC is used for diagnostic purposes in the clinical setting for the detection of metastases by fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FGD-PET/CT) imaging. A comprehensive metabolomic profiling of HTC in association with its molecular landscape might be necessary for the implementation of tumor-specific therapeutic approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Joanna Klubo-Gwiezdzinska
- Metabolic Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (S.K.); (R.A.)
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Fallahi P, Ferrari SM, Elia G, Ragusa F, Patrizio A, Paparo SR, Marone G, Galdiero MR, Guglielmi G, Foddis R, Cristaudo A, Antonelli A. Primary cell cultures for the personalized therapy in aggressive thyroid cancer of follicular origin. Semin Cancer Biol 2020; 79:203-216. [PMID: 32569821 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid cancer (TC) is the most prevalent endocrine malignancy. More than 90 % of TC is represented by differentiated TC (DTC) arising from the follicular thyroid cells. DTC includes papillary TC (PTC), follicular TC (FTC), and Hürthle cell TC. Anaplastic TC (ATC) accounts for 1% of TC, and it represents 15-40 % of TC death. Current treatment strategies are not completely effective against aggressive DTC or ATC, and mortality is one of the most important challenges. Recently, progresses have been obtained in the understanding of the molecular/genetic basis of TC progression, and new drugs have been introduced [i.e. tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs)], able to block the oncogenic or signaling kinases, associated with cellular growth. Thyroid cell lines, obtained from tumoral cells and chosen for high proliferation in vitro, have been used as preclinical models. Actually, these cells lose the characteristic features of the primary tumor, because they adapt to in vitro growth conditions. For these reasons, the use of these cell lines has important limitations, and more recently human primary cell cultures have been established as monolayer cultures, and investigated for their biological behavior. Moreover, in the past, primary TC cells could be collected only through surgical biopsies, while recently human primary cell cultures can be established also from samples of fine-needle aspiration citology from aggressive dedifferentiated DTC or ATC. Testing in vitro different TKIs in each patient can help to develop new personalized treatments, without using ineffective drugs. In conclusion, personalized medicine and precise oncology, which consider both patients and their disease features, represent the future of the treatment approach, and further progress is needed in this direction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Poupak Fallahi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Giusy Elia
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Ragusa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Armando Patrizio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Gianni Marone
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; Center for Basic and Clinical Immunology Research, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; World Allergy Organization Center of Excellence, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology "Gaetano Salvatore", National Research Council, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Galdiero
- Center for Basic and Clinical Immunology Research, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; World Allergy Organization Center of Excellence, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology "Gaetano Salvatore", National Research Council, 80131 Naples, Italy; Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Guglielmi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rudy Foddis
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alfonso Cristaudo
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Antonelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Kim SY, Kim T, Kim K, Bae JS, Kim JS, Jung CK. Highly prevalent BRAF V600E and low-frequency TERT promoter mutations underlie papillary thyroid carcinoma in Koreans. J Pathol Transl Med 2020; 54:310-317. [PMID: 32527075 PMCID: PMC7385264 DOI: 10.4132/jptm.2020.05.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The presence of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter mutations have been associated with a poor prognosis in patients with papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC). The frequency of TERT promoter mutations varies widely depending on the population and the nature of the study. METHODS Data were prospectively collected in 724 consecutive patients who underwent thyroidectomy for PTC from 2018 to 2019. Molecular testing for BRAF V600E and TERT promoter mutations was performed in all cases. RESULTS TERT promoter alterations in two hotspots (C228T and C250T) and C216T were found in 16 (2.2%) and 4 (0.6%) of all PTCs, respectively. The hotspot mutations were significantly associated with older age at diagnosis, larger tumor size, extrathyroidal extension, higher pathologic T category, lateral lymph node metastasis, and higher American Thyroid Association recurrence risk. The patients with C216T variant were younger and had a lower American Thyroid Association recurrence risk than those with hotspot mutations. Concurrent BRAF V600E was found in 19 of 20 cases with TERT promoter mutations. Of 518 microcarcinomas measuring ≤1.0 cm in size, hotspot mutations and C216T variants were detected in five (1.0%) and three (0.6%) cases, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Our study indicates a low frequency of TERT promoter mutations in Korean patients with PTC and supports previous findings that TERT promoter mutations are more common in older patients with unfavorable clinicopathologic features and BRAF V600E. TERT promoter mutations in patients with microcarcinoma are uncommon and may have a limited role in risk stratification. The C216T variant seems to have no clinicopathologic effect on PTC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sue Youn Kim
- Department of Hospital Pathology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Taeeun Kim
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Pathology Laboratory, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kwangsoon Kim
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ja Seong Bae
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jeong Soo Kim
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chan Kwon Jung
- Department of Hospital Pathology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.,Cancer Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Shi H, Guo LH, Zhang YF, Fu HJ, Zheng JY, Wang HX, Zhao CK, Xu HX. Suspicious ultrasound and clinicopathological features of papillary thyroid carcinoma predict the status of TERT promoter. Endocrine 2020; 68:349-357. [PMID: 32026251 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-020-02214-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the value of ultrasound (US) and clinicopathological features of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) in predicting Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (TERT) promoter mutations. METHODS Preoperative US images of 351 surgically confirmed PTCs were evaluated in terms of PTCs size and US features. The basic clinicopathological features were also retrieved. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the risk factors for TERT promoter mutations. A scoring system was developed based on the cumulative number of risk factors. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and cut-off value were calculated to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the scoring system for predicting TERT promoter mutations. RESULTS TERT promoter mutations were found in 4.84% (17/351) of patients with PTCs. Patient age >50 years (OR: 6.244, P = 0.006), multifocality (OR: 21.071, P = 0.022), taller-than-wide shape (OR: 4.934, P = 0.029), microlobulated margin (OR: 4786, P = 0.032), and capsule contact or involvement (OR: 4.668, P = 0.030) were independent risk factors for TERT promoter mutations. TERT promoter mutations were relevant to more suspicious US and clinicopathological features than TERT promoter wild-type PTC (median, 4 vs. 1, P < 0.001). The cut-off value was 2.5 and the associated AUC was 0.908 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The probability of TERT promoter mutations increases along with the suspicious US features and clinicopathological characteristics, which may help to recognize patients who deserve a different approach, in terms of management and follow-up, in view of the worst outcome associated to this mutation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Shi
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Ultrasound Research and Education Institute, Tongji University Cancer Center, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China
- Thyroid Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China
- Shanghai Center for Thyroid Diseases, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Le-Hang Guo
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Ultrasound Research and Education Institute, Tongji University Cancer Center, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China
- Thyroid Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China
- Shanghai Center for Thyroid Diseases, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Yi-Feng Zhang
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Ultrasound Research and Education Institute, Tongji University Cancer Center, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China
- Thyroid Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China
- Shanghai Center for Thyroid Diseases, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Hui-Jun Fu
- Thyroid Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China
- Shanghai Center for Thyroid Diseases, Shanghai, 200072, China
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Jia-Yi Zheng
- Thyroid Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China
- Shanghai Center for Thyroid Diseases, Shanghai, 200072, China
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Han-Xiang Wang
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Ultrasound Research and Education Institute, Tongji University Cancer Center, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China
- Thyroid Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China
- Shanghai Center for Thyroid Diseases, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Chong-Ke Zhao
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Ultrasound Research and Education Institute, Tongji University Cancer Center, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China.
- Thyroid Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China.
- Shanghai Center for Thyroid Diseases, Shanghai, 200072, China.
| | - Hui-Xiong Xu
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Ultrasound Research and Education Institute, Tongji University Cancer Center, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China.
- Thyroid Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China.
- Shanghai Center for Thyroid Diseases, Shanghai, 200072, China.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Lan X, Bao H, Ge X, Cao J, Fan X, Zhang Q, Liu K, Zhang X, Tan Z, Zheng C, Wang A, Chen C, Zhu X, Wang J, Xu J, Zhu X, Wu X, Wang X, Shao Y, Ge M. Genomic landscape of metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma and novel biomarkers for predicting distant metastasis. Cancer Sci 2020; 111:2163-2173. [PMID: 32187423 PMCID: PMC7293069 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common malignancy of the thyroid gland, with a relatively high cure rate. Distant metastasis (DM) of PTC is uncommon, but when it occurs, it significantly decreases the survival of PTC patients. The molecular mechanisms of DM in PTC have not been systematically studied. We performed whole exome sequencing and GeneseeqPrime (425 genes) panel sequencing of the primary tumor, plasma and matched white blood cell samples from 20 PTC with DM and 46 PTC without DM. We identified somatic mutations, gene fusions and copy number alterations and analyzed their relationships with DM of PTC. BRAF‐V600E was identified in 73% of PTC, followed by RET fusions (14%) in a mutually exclusive manner (P < 0.0001). We found that gene fusions (RET, ALK or NTRK1) (P < 0.01) and chromosome 22q loss (P < 0.01) were independently associated with DM in both univariate and multivariate analyses. A nomogram model consisting of chromosome 22q loss, gene fusions and three clinical variables was built for predicting DM in PTC (C‐index = 0.89). The plasma circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) detection rate in PTC was only 38.9%; however, it was significantly associated with the metastatic status (P = 0.04), tumor size (P = 0.001) and invasiveness (P = 0.01). In conclusion, gene fusions and chromosome 22q loss were independently associated with DM in PTC and could serve as molecular biomarkers for predicting DM. The ctDNA detection rate was low in non–DM PTC but significantly higher in PTC with DM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiabin Lan
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Head & Neck Cancer Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hua Bao
- Translational Medicine Research Institute, Geneseeq Technology, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Xinyang Ge
- Key Laboratory of Head & Neck Cancer Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China.,Heartland Christian School, Columbiana, OH, USA
| | - Jun Cao
- Key Laboratory of Head & Neck Cancer Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaojun Fan
- Translational Medicine Research Institute, Geneseeq Technology, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Qihong Zhang
- Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kaihua Liu
- Nanjing Geneseeq Technology Inc., Nanjing, China
| | - Xian Zhang
- Nanjing Geneseeq Technology Inc., Nanjing, China
| | - Zhuo Tan
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Head & Neck Cancer Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chuanming Zheng
- Department of Head, Neck and Thyroid Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ao Wang
- Translational Medicine Research Institute, Geneseeq Technology, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Chao Chen
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Head & Neck Cancer Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xin Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Head & Neck Cancer Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiafeng Wang
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Head & Neck Cancer Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiajie Xu
- Department of Head, Neck and Thyroid Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xuhang Zhu
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Head & Neck Cancer Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xue Wu
- Translational Medicine Research Institute, Geneseeq Technology, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Xiaonan Wang
- Nanjing Geneseeq Technology Inc., Nanjing, China
| | - Yang Shao
- Nanjing Geneseeq Technology Inc., Nanjing, China.,School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Minghua Ge
- Department of Head, Neck and Thyroid Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
The Solo Play of TERT Promoter Mutations. Cells 2020; 9:cells9030749. [PMID: 32204305 PMCID: PMC7140675 DOI: 10.3390/cells9030749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The reactivation of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) protein is the principal mechanism of telomere maintenance in cancer cells. Mutations in the TERT promoter (TERTp) are a common mechanism of TERT reactivation in many solid cancers, particularly those originating from slow-replicating tissues. They are associated with increased TERT levels, telomere stabilization, and cell immortalization and proliferation. Much effort has been invested in recent years in characterizing their prevalence in different cancers and their potential as biomarkers for tumor stratification, as well as assessing their molecular mechanism of action, but much remains to be understood. Notably, they appear late in cell transformation and are mutually exclusive with each other as well as with other telomere maintenance mechanisms, indicative of overlapping selective advantages and of a strict regulation of TERT expression levels. In this review, we summarized the latest literature on the role and prevalence of TERTp mutations across different cancer types, highlighting their biased distribution. We then discussed the need to maintain TERT levels at sufficient levels to immortalize cells and promote proliferation while remaining within cell sustainability levels. A better understanding of TERT regulation is crucial when considering its use as a possible target in antitumor strategies.
Collapse
|
28
|
Yang J, Gong Y, Yan S, Chen H, Qin S, Gong R. Association between TERT promoter mutations and clinical behaviors in differentiated thyroid carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Endocrine 2020; 67:44-57. [PMID: 31655978 PMCID: PMC6969012 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-019-02117-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 10/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The association between telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter mutations and some clinical behaviors in thyroid cancer remains controversial and requires additional investigation. This study aimed to evaluate the association between TERT promoter mutations and clinical behaviors (including clinicopathological features and prognosis) in differentiated thyroid carcinomas (DTC). METHODS We performed an up-to-date systematic review and current comprehensive meta-analysis. We searched three electronic databases for relevant studies. We used fixed- or random-effect models to calculate pooled estimated odds ratios (ORs) or standardized mean differences (SMDs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS We included 51 eligible studies incorporating 11,382 cases. Average frequencies of TERT promoter mutations in DTC, papillary (PTC), and follicular (FTC) thyroid carcinomas were 10.9%, 10.6%, and 15.1%, respectively. In DTC and PTC, TERT promoter mutations were significantly associated with sex, age, tumor size, vascular invasion, extrathyroidal extension, lymph node and distant metastases, advanced tumor, nodes, and metastasis (TNM) stage, persistence/recurrence, and disease-specific mortality. In FTC, TERT promoter mutations were significantly associated with age, distant metastases, advanced TNM stage, persistence/recurrence, and disease-specific mortality. CONCLUSIONS TERT promoter mutations could be considered as biomarkers assisting in risk stratification, prognostic prediction, and individualizing therapeutic options for DTC (PTC and FTC).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yang
- Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yanping Gong
- Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
| | - Shuping Yan
- Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Hui Chen
- West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Siqin Qin
- Department of General Surgery, the Second People's Hospital of Deyang City, No. 340 West Minjiang Road, Deyang, 618000, Sichuan, China
| | - Rixiang Gong
- Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Luzón-Toro B, Fernández RM, Villalba-Benito L, Torroglosa A, Antiñolo G, Borrego S. Influencers on Thyroid Cancer Onset: Molecular Genetic Basis. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:E913. [PMID: 31717449 PMCID: PMC6895808 DOI: 10.3390/genes10110913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Thyroid cancer, a cancerous tumor or growth located within the thyroid gland, is the most common endocrine cancer. It is one of the few cancers whereby incidence rates have increased in recent years. It occurs in all age groups, from children through to seniors. Most studies are focused on dissecting its genetic basis, since our current knowledge of the genetic background of the different forms of thyroid cancer is far from complete, which poses a challenge for diagnosis and prognosis of the disease. In this review, we describe prevailing advances and update our understanding of the molecular genetics of thyroid cancer, focusing on the main genes related with the pathology, including the different noncoding RNAs associated with the disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Berta Luzón-Toro
- Department of Maternofetal Medicine, Genetics and Reproduction, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBIS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain; (B.L.-T.); (R.M.F.); (L.V.-B.); (A.T.); (G.A.)
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Raquel María Fernández
- Department of Maternofetal Medicine, Genetics and Reproduction, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBIS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain; (B.L.-T.); (R.M.F.); (L.V.-B.); (A.T.); (G.A.)
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Leticia Villalba-Benito
- Department of Maternofetal Medicine, Genetics and Reproduction, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBIS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain; (B.L.-T.); (R.M.F.); (L.V.-B.); (A.T.); (G.A.)
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Ana Torroglosa
- Department of Maternofetal Medicine, Genetics and Reproduction, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBIS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain; (B.L.-T.); (R.M.F.); (L.V.-B.); (A.T.); (G.A.)
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Guillermo Antiñolo
- Department of Maternofetal Medicine, Genetics and Reproduction, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBIS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain; (B.L.-T.); (R.M.F.); (L.V.-B.); (A.T.); (G.A.)
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Salud Borrego
- Department of Maternofetal Medicine, Genetics and Reproduction, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBIS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain; (B.L.-T.); (R.M.F.); (L.V.-B.); (A.T.); (G.A.)
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 41013 Seville, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Dalva-Aydemir S, Akyerli CB, Yüksel ŞK, Keskin H, Yakıcıer MC. Toward In Vitro Epigenetic Drug Design for Thyroid Cancer: The Promise of PF-03814735, an Aurora Kinase Inhibitor. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 23:486-495. [DOI: 10.1089/omi.2019.0050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sevim Dalva-Aydemir
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology PhD Program, Institute of Health Sciences, Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Cemaliye Boylu Akyerli
- Medical Biology, School of Medicine, Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Şirin Kılıçturgay Yüksel
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology PhD Program, Institute of Health Sciences, Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University, Istanbul, Turkey
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Hilal Keskin
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology PhD Program, Institute of Health Sciences, Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Cengiz Yakıcıer
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University, Istanbul, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Correlation between TERT C228T and clinic-pathological features in pediatric papillary thyroid carcinoma. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2019; 62:1563-1571. [PMID: 31321667 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-018-9546-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The aims of the present study were to reveal the prevalence of the TERT C228T mutation in pediatric papillary thyroid carcinoma (PPTC) and to further investigate the role of the TERT C228T mutation in PPTC. We also tested another TERT mutation, TERT C250T, although this was not detected in PPTC patients. In this study, 48 patients with PPTC (41 with classic PPTC) were enrolled. DNA was extracted from PPTC tissues and TERT C228T mutation analysis was performed. Chi-squared analysis, Fisher's exact test, and a t-test were applied to test the significance of differences. The TERT C228T mutation presented in 13 (27.1%) of the 48 PPTC patients and 10 (24.4%) of the 41 classical PPTC patients. There were significant differences between PPTC patients with the TERT C228T mutation and those without in terms of modified radical neck dissection, multifocality, capsular invasion, extrathyroidal invasion, and American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) tumor stage (P<0.05). In classical PPTC, there were additional significant differences in other clinic-pathological features, such as AJCC nodal stage (P=0.009) and American Thyroid Association (ATA) PPTC stage (P=0.021) between patients with and without the TERT C228T mutation. These findings indicate that the TERT C228T mutation is significantly correlated with certain aggressive clinic-pathological features of PPTC.
Collapse
|
32
|
Martínez JRW, Vargas-Salas S, Gamboa SU, Muñoz E, Domínguez JM, León A, Droppelmann N, Solar A, Zafereo M, Holsinger FC, González HE. The Combination of RET, BRAF and Demographic Data Identifies Subsets of Patients with Aggressive Papillary Thyroid Cancer. Discov Oncol 2019; 10:97-106. [DOI: 10.1007/s12672-019-0359-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
|
33
|
Abstract
Purpose The acquisition of pathogenic variants in the TERT promoter (TERTp) region is a mechanism of tumorigenesis. In nonmalignant diseases, TERTp variants have been reported only in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) due to germline variants in telomere biology genes. Methods We screened patients with a broad spectrum of telomeropathies (n = 136), their relatives (n = 52), and controls (n = 195) for TERTp variants using a customized massively parallel amplicon-based sequencing assay. Results Pathogenic −124 and −146 TERTp variants were identified in nine (7%) unrelated patients diagnosed with IPF (28%) or moderate aplastic anemia (4.6%); five of them also presented cirrhosis. Five (10%) relatives were also found with these variants, all harboring a pathogenic germline variant in telomere biology genes. TERTp clone selection did not associate with peripheral blood counts, telomere length, and response to danazol treatment. However, it was specific for patients with telomeropathies, more frequently co-occurring with TERT germline variants and associated with aging. Conclusion We extend the spectrum of nonmalignant diseases associated with pathogenic TERTp variants to marrow failure and liver disease due to inherited telomerase deficiency. Specificity of pathogenic TERTp variants for telomerase dysfunction may help to assess the pathogenicity of unclear constitutional variants in the telomere diseases.
Collapse
|
34
|
Clinical utility of EZH1 mutations in the diagnosis of follicular-patterned thyroid tumors. Hum Pathol 2018; 81:9-17. [DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2018.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Revised: 04/14/2018] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
|
35
|
Thyroid cancers of follicular origin in a genomic light: in-depth overview of common and unique molecular marker candidates. Mol Cancer 2018; 17:116. [PMID: 30089490 PMCID: PMC6081953 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-018-0866-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, thyroid malignances have become more prevalent, especially among women. The most common sporadic types of thyroid tumors of follicular origin include papillary, follicular and anaplastic thyroid carcinomas. Although modern diagnosis methods enable the identification of tumors of small diameter, tumor subtype differentiation, which is imperative for the correct choice of treatment, is still troublesome. This review discusses the recent advances in the field of molecular marker identification via next-generation sequencing and microarrays. The potential use of these biomarkers to distinguish among the most commonly occurring sporadic thyroid cancers is presented and compared. Geographical heterogeneity might be a differentiator, although not necessarily a limiting factor, in biomarker selection. The available data advocate for a subset of mutations common for the three subtypes as well as mutations that are unique for a particular tumor subtype. Tumor heterogeneity, a known issue occurring within solid malignancies, is also discussed where applicable. Public databases with datasets derived from high-throughput experiments are a valuable source of information that aid biomarker research in general, including the identification of molecular hallmarks of thyroid cancer.
Collapse
|
36
|
Jin A, Xu J, Wang Y. The role of TERT promoter mutations in postoperative and preoperative diagnosis and prognosis in thyroid cancer. Medicine (Baltimore) 2018; 97:e11548. [PMID: 30024548 PMCID: PMC6086515 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000011548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter mutations have been described in different pathological types of thyroid cancers (TC). After many types of research focusing on the mutations rate in malignant tumors, the main role of TERT promoter mutations has been changed to the preoperative diagnosis and prognosis of TC, according to their high prevalence in aggressive TC. METHODS We searched Pubmed, Web of Science, Scopus, and VHL and reviewed the most common 2 mutations C288T and C250T in different types of TC, the association between them and some specific clinicopathological features, and their significance in preoperative diagnosis and prognosis of TC. we chose 38 studies into our qualitative research. We also chose 22 studies to do a meta-analysis on this subject. RESULTS The overall rate of these mutations in different types of TC was 10.0%, with 86.1% C228T mutation, 12% C250T mutation, and 2.1% other type mutations. The rate increases significantly as the TC become more aggressive, and reaches 56.8% in anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC). Statistically meaningful association is found between TERT promoter mutations and older age, larger tumor size, extrathyroidal extension, lymph node metastasis, distance metastasis, advanced TNM stage, recurrence, and BRAF V600E mutation. Some studies concentrating on DNA sequencing based on fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) also proved their significance in preoperative stage, with 7% to 16.5% sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS TERT promoter mutations were likely to occur in BRAF V600E positive TC. Patients with these 2 combined mutations were more likely to have a poor prognosis and outcome. TERT promoter mutations is an essential part of the ThySeq gene panel. The mechanism of how they influence the appearance and development of TC has not been expounded. The next study direction may be the mechanism exploration and the further study to prove their significance in preoperative diagnosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anqi Jin
- Master of Medicine in Reading, Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai
- Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou
| | - Jianhao Xu
- Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Sidorin AV, Abrosimov AY, Rogunovich TI, Rumyantsev PO, Nizhegorodova KS, Isaev PA, Shinkarkina AP, Yamasita S, Saenko VA. [Clinical, morphological, and prognostic features of papillary thyroid carcinoma with different BRAF mutational status assessed by immunohistochemistry]. Arkh Patol 2018; 80:19-25. [PMID: 29927436 DOI: 10.17116/patol201880319-25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The somatic mutation in BRAFT1799A (BRAFV600E), the data on the prognostic role of which are contradictory, is one of the most common molecular genetic abnormalities in the cells of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). OBJECTIVE To investigate the association of the immunoexpression of mutant BRAF in PTC with different morphological characteristics and long-term treatment results in patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS Information on inpatients with PTC was obtained from the database of the Pathology Department, A.F. Tsyb Medical Radiology Research Center (a branch of the National Medical Radiology Research Center, Ministry of Health of the Russia). The paraffin-embedded blocks of surgically removed primary, metastatic, and recurrent PTC tissues were cut and stained with hematoxylin and eosin and anti-mutant BRAF monoclonal antibodies. The results of immunohistochemical tests were assessed and the frequency of BRAF immunoexpression was analyzed in relation to various clinical and morphological parameters of tumor growth, the pattern and volume of treatment in the patients, by taking into account its long-term results (the presence or absence of tumor recurrence and metastases in the postoperative period). RESULTS The expression of mutant BRAF (BRAF+) was noted in 29 (39.3%) of the 74 cases of PTC. The BRAF+ group differed from the BRAF group by a higher proportion of male patients, older age, advanced clinical stage of carcinoma, a predominance of papillary structure of tumors, and a higher frequency of their recurrence and/or metastases in the postoperative period. CONCLUSION The immunohistochemical assessment of BRAF status opens up a possibility to predict local recurrence and metastases in the postoperative period in patients treated for PTC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A V Sidorin
- National Medical Radiology Research Center, Ministry of Health of Russia, Obninsk, Russia
| | - A Yu Abrosimov
- National Medical Research Center of Endocrinology, Moscow, Russia; National Research University of Technology 'Moscow Institute of Steel and Alloys', Moscow, Russia
| | - T I Rogunovich
- Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - P O Rumyantsev
- National Medical Research Center of Endocrinology, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - P A Isaev
- National Medical Radiology Research Center, Ministry of Health of Russia, Obninsk, Russia
| | - A P Shinkarkina
- National Medical Radiology Research Center, Ministry of Health of Russia, Obninsk, Russia
| | - S Yamasita
- Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - V A Saenko
- Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Gaspar TB, Sá A, Lopes JM, Sobrinho-Simões M, Soares P, Vinagre J. Telomere Maintenance Mechanisms in Cancer. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:E241. [PMID: 29751586 PMCID: PMC5977181 DOI: 10.3390/genes9050241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Revised: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumour cells can adopt telomere maintenance mechanisms (TMMs) to avoid telomere shortening, an inevitable process due to successive cell divisions. In most tumour cells, telomere length (TL) is maintained by reactivation of telomerase, while a small part acquires immortality through the telomerase-independent alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) mechanism. In the last years, a great amount of data was generated, and different TMMs were reported and explained in detail, benefiting from genome-scale studies of major importance. In this review, we address seven different TMMs in tumour cells: mutations of the TERT promoter (TERTp), amplification of the genes TERT and TERC, polymorphic variants of the TERT gene and of its promoter, rearrangements of the TERT gene, epigenetic changes, ALT, and non-defined TMM (NDTMM). We gathered information from over fifty thousand patients reported in 288 papers in the last years. This wide data collection enabled us to portray, by organ/system and histotypes, the prevalence of TERTp mutations, TERT and TERC amplifications, and ALT in human tumours. Based on this information, we discuss the putative future clinical impact of the aforementioned mechanisms on the malignant transformation process in different setups, and provide insights for screening, prognosis, and patient management stratification.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Bordeira Gaspar
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Medical Faculty of University of Porto (FMUP), 4200-139 Porto, Portugal.
- Abel Salazar Biomedical Sciences Institute (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Ana Sá
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Abel Salazar Biomedical Sciences Institute (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - José Manuel Lopes
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Medical Faculty of University of Porto (FMUP), 4200-139 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Pathology and Oncology, Centro Hospitalar São João, 4200-139 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Manuel Sobrinho-Simões
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Medical Faculty of University of Porto (FMUP), 4200-139 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Pathology and Oncology, Centro Hospitalar São João, 4200-139 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Paula Soares
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Abel Salazar Biomedical Sciences Institute (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - João Vinagre
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Medical Faculty of University of Porto (FMUP), 4200-139 Porto, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Vuong HG, Altibi AMA, Duong UNP, Ngo HTT, Pham TQ, Tran HM, Oishi N, Mochizuki K, Nakazawa T, Hassell L, Katoh R, Kondo T. Role of molecular markers to predict distant metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma: Promising value of TERT promoter mutations and insignificant role of BRAF mutations—a meta-analysis. Tumour Biol 2017; 39:1010428317713913. [DOI: 10.1177/1010428317713913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The presence of distant metastasis is associated with an adverse outcome in papillary thyroid cancer. We performed a meta-analysis to investigate the role of molecular markers as predictors for distant metastasis in papillary thyroid cancer. Four electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Virtual Health Library were searched, and odds ratio and its 95% confidence interval concerning the association of BRAF, RAS, and TERT promoter mutations and RET/PTC rearrangements with distant metastasis were calculated using random-effects model. In total, 42 studies with 11,109 papillary thyroid cancers were included for meta-analyses. Overall, the presence of TERT promoter (odds ratio = 5.95; 95% confidence interval = 2.95–11.99), RAS mutations (odds ratio = 2.5; 95% confidence interval = 1.00–6.22), and RET/PTC rearrangements (odds ratio = 1.92; 95% confidence interval = 1.03–3.56) were found to be associated with a significantly increased risk for distant metastasis. BRAF mutations were not associated with an elevated risk for distant metastasis (odds ratio = 0.79; 95% confidence interval = 0.54–1.16). In conclusion, our study demonstrated the promising value of few molecular biomarkers, especially TERT promoter mutations in predicting distant metastasis in papillary thyroid cancers, while BRAF mutations showed no association with distant metastasis. Our study affirms the value of selected mutations for tumor risk stratification and assessment of patients’ prognosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huy Gia Vuong
- Department of Pathology, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
- Department of Pathology, Cho Ray Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Ahmed MA Altibi
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Uyen NP Duong
- Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Hanh TT Ngo
- Department of Pathology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Thong Quang Pham
- Department of Pathology, Cho Ray Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Hung Minh Tran
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Naoki Oishi
- Department of Pathology, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Kunio Mochizuki
- Department of Pathology, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Tadao Nakazawa
- Department of Pathology, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Lewis Hassell
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Ryohei Katoh
- Department of Pathology, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Kondo
- Department of Pathology, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Choi EK, Chong A, Ha JM, Jung CK, O JH, Kim SH. Clinicopathological characteristics including BRAF V600E mutation status and PET/CT findings in papillary thyroid carcinoma. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2017; 87:73-79. [PMID: 28329426 DOI: 10.1111/cen.13335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2016] [Revised: 03/07/2017] [Accepted: 03/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We assessed the associations between FDG uptake in primary papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs) and clinicopathological features, including the BRAF V600E mutation, using quantitative and qualitative analyses of preoperative PET/CT data. DESIGN AND PATIENTS This was a retrospective review of 106 patients with PTC who underwent PET/CT scans between February 2009 and January 2011 before undergoing total thyroidectomy. Data collected from surgical specimens were compared with FDG uptake in the primary tumour using quantitative and qualitative analyses of preoperative PET/CT data. Clinicopathological data included the primary tumour size, subtype, capsular invasion, extrathyroid extension, multifocality, BRAF V600E mutation status, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis. RESULTS The SUVmax of the primary tumour was significantly higher in patients with a primary tumour >1 cm, extrathyroid extension or the BRAF V600E mutation than in patients without these features (P<.001, .049 and <.001). Univariate analyses showed that primary tumour size, extrathyroid extension and BRAF V600E mutation status were associated with the SUVmax of the PTC. Multivariate analysis indicated that primary tumour size and the BRAF V600E mutation were associated with the SUVmax of the PTC. In a visual assessment, the primary tumour size was larger in FDG-avid than in non-FDG-avid PTCs (P<.001). There was no significant difference in the presence of multifocality, thyroid capsular invasion, extrathyroid extension, BRAF V600E mutation, lymph node metastasis or distant metastasis between FDG-avid and non-FDG-avid PTCs. CONCLUSIONS Primary tumour size and the BRAF V600E mutation are significant factors associated with the SUVmax on preoperative PET/CT in patients with PTC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eun Kyoung Choi
- Department of Radiology, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ari Chong
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Chosun University Hospital, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Jung-Min Ha
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Chosun University Hospital, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Chan Kwon Jung
- Department of Hospital Pathology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Joo Hyun O
- Department of Radiology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sung Hoon Kim
- Department of Radiology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Lee SE, Hwang TS, Choi YL, Kim WY, Han HS, Lim SD, Kim WS, Yoo YB, Kim SK. Molecular Profiling of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma in Korea with a High Prevalence of BRAF V600E Mutation. Thyroid 2017; 27:802-810. [PMID: 28293988 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2016.0547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The BRAFV600E mutation in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is particularly prevalent in Korea, and a considerable number of wild-type BRAF PTCs harbor RAS mutations. In addition, subsets of other genetic alterations clearly exist, but their prevalence in the Korean population has not been well studied. Recent increased insight into noninvasive encapsulated follicular variant PTC has prompted endocrine pathologists to reclassify this entity as "noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features" (NIFTP). This study analyzed the genetic alterations among the histologic variants of PTC, including NIFTP. METHODS Mutations of the BRAF and RAS genes and rearrangement of the RET/PTC1, NTRK1, and ALK genes using 769 preoperative fine-needle aspiration specimens and resected PTCs were analyzed. RESULTS Molecular alterations were found in 687 (89.3%) of 769 PTCs. BRAFV600E mutation (80.8%) was the most frequent alteration, followed by RAS mutation and RET/PTC1, NTRK1, and ALK rearrangements (5.6%, 2.1%, 0.4%, and 0%, respectively). The low prevalence of NTRK1 fusions and the absence of an ALK fusion detected in Korea may also be attributed to the higher prevalence of the BRAFV600E mutation. There were significant differences in the frequency of the genetic alterations among the histologic variants of PTC. The prevalence of NIFTP in PTC was 2.7%, and among the NIFTPs, 28.6% and 57.1% harbored BRAF and RAS mutations, respectively. Clinicopathologic factors and mutational profiles between NIFTP and encapsulated follicular variant PTC with capsular invasion group were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS Genetic alterations in PTC vary among its different histologic variants and seem to be different in each ethnic group.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seung Eun Lee
- 1 Department of Pathology, Konkuk University School of Medicine , Seoul, Korea
| | - Tae Sook Hwang
- 1 Department of Pathology, Konkuk University School of Medicine , Seoul, Korea
| | - Yoon-La Choi
- 2 Department of Pathology and Translational genomics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine , Seoul, Korea
| | - Wook Youn Kim
- 1 Department of Pathology, Konkuk University School of Medicine , Seoul, Korea
| | - Hye Seung Han
- 1 Department of Pathology, Konkuk University School of Medicine , Seoul, Korea
| | - So Dug Lim
- 1 Department of Pathology, Konkuk University School of Medicine , Seoul, Korea
| | - Wan-Seop Kim
- 1 Department of Pathology, Konkuk University School of Medicine , Seoul, Korea
| | - Young Bum Yoo
- 3 Department of Surgery, Konkuk University School of Medicine , Seoul, Korea
| | - Suk Kyeong Kim
- 4 Department of Internal Medicine, Konkuk University School of Medicine , Seoul, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Vuong HG, Kondo T, Pham TQ, Oishi N, Mochizuki K, Nakazawa T, Hassell L, Katoh R. Prognostic significance of diffuse sclerosing variant papillary thyroid carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Endocrinol 2017; 176:433-441. [PMID: 28183787 DOI: 10.1530/eje-16-0863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2016] [Revised: 12/29/2016] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Diffuse sclerosing variant papillary thyroid carcinoma (DSVPTC) is an uncommon variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). The biological behaviors and prognostic outcomes of this variant, however, are still controversial. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to investigate the prognostic significance and outcomes of DSVPTCs in comparison with classical PTCs (cPTCs). METHODS An electronic search was performed in five libraries: PubMed, Scopus, ISI, World Health Organization Global Health Library (WHO GHL) and Virtual Health Library (VHL) in June 2016. Published data were extracted and were pooled into odds ratios (OR), mean differences and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) using random-effect model. Publication bias was analyzed using Egger's regression test and funnel plot observation. RESULTS From 315 articles, we included 16 articles comprising 732 DSVPTCs for meta-analysis. Overall, DSVPTC manifested more aggressive clinicopathological behaviors than cPTC such as higher rate of vascular invasion (OR: 5.33; 95% CI: 3.08-9.23), extrathyroidal extension (OR: 2.96; 95% CI: 2.04-4.30), lymph node metastasis (OR: 5.40; 95% CI: 2.82-10.35), distant metastasis (OR: 3.61; 95% CI: 1.89-6.88) and were more likely to relapse (OR: 2.83; 95% CI: 1.59-5.05). DSVPTC patients were associated with a worsened overall survival (HR: 1.89; 95% CI: 1.36-2.62). CONCLUSION DSVPTCs should be considered high-risk PTCs because of high propensity for tumor invasion, metastasis, relapse and mortality. Aggressiveness of DSVPTCs might be related to a different molecular pathway than that in cPTCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huy Gia Vuong
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
- Department of PathologyCho Ray Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Tetsuo Kondo
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Thong Quang Pham
- Department of PathologyCho Ray Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Naoki Oishi
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Kunio Mochizuki
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Tadao Nakazawa
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Lewis Hassell
- Department of PathologyOklahoma University of Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Ryohei Katoh
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Vuong HG, Duong UNP, Altibi AMA, Ngo HTT, Pham TQ, Tran HM, Gandolfi G, Hassell L. A meta-analysis of prognostic roles of molecular markers in papillary thyroid carcinoma. Endocr Connect 2017; 6:R8-R17. [PMID: 28219937 PMCID: PMC5424840 DOI: 10.1530/ec-17-0010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The prognostic role of molecular markers in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is a matter of ongoing debate. The aim of our study is to investigate the impact of RAS, BRAF, TERT promoter mutations and RET/PTC rearrangements on the prognosis of PTC patients. We performed a search in four electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Virtual Health Library (VHL). Data of hazard ratio (HR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) for disease-specific survival (DSS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were directly obtained from original papers or indirectly estimated from Kaplan-Meier curve (KMC). Pooled HRs were calculated using random-effect model weighted by inverse variance method. Publication bias was assessed by using Egger's regression test and visual inspection of funnel plots. From 2630 studies, we finally included 35 studies with 17,732 patients for meta-analyses. TERT promoter mutation was significantly associated with unfavorable DSS (HR = 7.64; 95% CI = 4.00-14.61) and DFS (HR = 2.98; 95% CI = 2.27-3.92). BRAF mutations significantly increased the risk for recurrence (HR = 1.63; 95% CI = 1.27-2.10) but not for cancer mortality (HR = 1.41; 95% CI = 0.90-2.23). In subgroup analyses, BRAF mutation only showed its prognostic value in short-/medium-term follow-up. Data regarding RAS mutations and RET/PTC fusions were insufficient for meta-analyses. TERT promoter mutation can be used as an independent and reliable marker for risk stratification and predicting patient's outcomes. The use of BRAF mutation to assess patient prognosis should be carefully considered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huy Gia Vuong
- Department of PathologyCho Ray Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Uyen N P Duong
- Pham Ngoc Thach University of MedicineHo Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | | | - Hanh T T Ngo
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Thong Quang Pham
- Department of PathologyCho Ray Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Hung Minh Tran
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Greta Gandolfi
- Laboratory of Translational ResearchArcispedale S. Maria Nuova-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Lewis Hassell
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Abstract
Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) includes more than 90% of all thyroid carcinoma and its incidence is growing, mainly due to an increase in the incidence of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) for the widespread use of neck ultrasonography. Areas covered: Several prognostic factors should be considered during the management of PTC in order to provide the most effective treatment. The most important prognostic factors in PTC include personal and pathological features such as patient's age, gender, hystotype, tumor size, extrathyroidal extension, lymph node involvement, presence of local or distant metastases and molecular analyses. We performed a search in the PubMed database for studies published in English since 1960 using the terms: 'thyroid cancer', 'prognostic factors', 'age', 'gender', 'hystotype', 'tumor size', 'extrathyroidal extension', 'lymph node', 'metastases' and 'molecular analyses'. Expert commentary: Prognostic factors can guide clinicians during the treatment and follow-up of DTC patients, but it is now evident that the risk of recurrence or death must be evaluated periodically, on the basis of individual risk, according to the response to initial therapy or the subsequent therapy required during follow-up.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Maino
- a Department of Medical, Surgical and Neurological Sciences , University of Siena , Siena , Italy
| | - Raffaella Forleo
- a Department of Medical, Surgical and Neurological Sciences , University of Siena , Siena , Italy
| | - Furio Pacini
- a Department of Medical, Surgical and Neurological Sciences , University of Siena , Siena , Italy
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Oh EJ, Lee S, Bae JS, Kim Y, Jeon S, Jung CK. TERT Promoter Mutation in an Aggressive Cribriform Morular Variant of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma. Endocr Pathol 2017; 28:49-53. [PMID: 27688081 DOI: 10.1007/s12022-016-9454-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The cribriform-morular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (CMV-PTC) is a rare thyroid neoplasm characterized by unique morphologic findings and association with familial adenomatous polyposis. The biologic behavior of this variant has been reported to behave similarly to classic PTC. We report a rare sporadic case of CMV-PTC occurring in a 45-year-old female with multiple lymph nodes and bone metastases, which were detected after total thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine remnant ablation. Molecular analyses of primary thyroid and metastatic tumor tissues revealed a telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter mutation, but absence of BRAF, KRAS, NRAS, HRAS, and PIK3CA mutations. Over a 4-year follow-up period, structurally identifiable bone metastases were persistent, but serial post-operative serum thyroglobulin levels remained undetectable in the absence of thyroglobulin antibody. The literature was reviewed. This is the first case of aggressive CMV-PTC showing TERT promoter mutation. TERT promoter mutations may help in predicting aggressive clinical behavior in CMV-PTC. Postoperative serum thyroglobulin measurement may have no impact on clinical decision-making in this type of tumor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eun Ji Oh
- Department of Hospital Pathology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul, 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Sohee Lee
- Department of Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hosptial, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul, 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Ja Seong Bae
- Department of Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hosptial, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul, 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Yourha Kim
- Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul, 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Sora Jeon
- Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul, 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Chan Kwon Jung
- Department of Hospital Pathology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul, 06591, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Su X, Jiang X, Wang W, Wang H, Xu X, Lin A, Teng X, Wu H, Teng L. Association of telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter mutations with clinicopathological features and prognosis of thyroid cancer: a meta-analysis. Onco Targets Ther 2016; 9:6965-6976. [PMID: 27956840 PMCID: PMC5113912 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s116594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The clinicopathological and prognostic significance of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter mutations have been widely investigated in thyroid cancer; however, the results are still discrepant. Systematic searches were performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Ovid, and the Cochran Library databases for relevant articles prior to April 2016. Mutation rates were synthesized by R statistical software. The odds ratio or standardized mean difference with 95% confidence interval was pooled by Stata. A total of 22 studies with 4,907 cases were included in this meta-analysis. TERT promoter mutations tended to present in aggressive histological types including poorly differentiated thyroid cancer (33.37%), anaplastic thyroid cancer (38.69%), and tall-cell variant papillary thyroid cancer (30.23%). These promoter mutations were likely to exist in older patients and males and were well associated with larger tumor size, extrathyroidal extension, vascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, advanced tumor stage, disease recurrence/persistence, and mortality. In addition, TERT promoter mutations (especially C228T) tended to coexist with BRAFV600E mutation, which indicated more aggressive tumor behavior. Therefore, TERT promoter mutations may be promising biomarkers for early diagnosis, risk stratification, prognostic prediction, and management of thyroid cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Xin Xu
- Department of Medical Oncology
| | | | | | - Huiling Wu
- Department of Plastic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Transcription Regulation of the Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (hTERT) Gene. Genes (Basel) 2016; 7:genes7080050. [PMID: 27548225 PMCID: PMC4999838 DOI: 10.3390/genes7080050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2016] [Revised: 07/23/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells have the ability to maintain their telomere length via expression of an enzymatic complex called telomerase. Similarly, more than 85%–90% of cancer cells are found to upregulate the expression of telomerase, conferring them with the potential to proliferate indefinitely. Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (TERT), the catalytic subunit of telomerase holoenzyme, is the rate-limiting factor in reconstituting telomerase activity in vivo. To date, the expression and function of the human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (hTERT) gene are known to be regulated at various molecular levels (including genetic, mRNA, protein and subcellular localization) by a number of diverse factors. Among these means of regulation, transcription modulation is the most important, as evident in its tight regulation in cancer cell survival as well as pluripotent stem cell maintenance and differentiation. Here, we discuss how hTERT gene transcription is regulated, mainly focusing on the contribution of trans-acting factors such as transcription factors and epigenetic modifiers, as well as genetic alterations in hTERT proximal promoter.
Collapse
|
48
|
Yang X, Li J, Li X, Liang Z, Gao W, Liang J, Cheng S, Lin Y. TERT Promoter Mutation Predicts Radioiodine-Refractory Character in Distant Metastatic Differentiated Thyroid Cancer. J Nucl Med 2016; 58:258-265. [PMID: 27493271 DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.116.180240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter mutation has been reported to be associated with aggressive characteristics in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). This study examined the status of TERT mutation in distant metastatic DTC and evaluated the correlation between TERT mutation and radioiodine uptake, as well as that between TERT mutation and therapy response. METHODS TERT promoter and B-Raf proto-oncogene (BRAF) V600E mutation were retrospectively examined in primary tumors of 66 patients with distant metastatic DTC. Stimulated thyroglobulin (sTg) changes, radioiodine uptake status (avid or nonavid), and other imaging evidence were analyzed to evaluate therapy response. After a median follow-up of 46.5 mo (interquartile range, 29.0-70.5 mo), therapy response was classified as either disease control or refractory. RESULTS The prevalence of TERT mutations was 22.73% (15/66), of which C228T mutation was more prevalent (13/15) than C250T mutation (2/15). Rising sTg was noticed in 93.33% (14/15) of the TERT mutation group. Of cases negative for both mutations, 78.12% (25/32) presented with decreased sTg. TERT mutation closely correlated with a poor response to radioiodine therapy (P < 0.001), and all 15 patients were classified as refractory to radioiodine therapy, with a positive predictive value of 100% at the endpoint of follow-up. TERT mutation was associated with older mean age at diagnosis (P < 0.001), larger mean tumor diameter (P = 0.013), and greater likelihood of both BRAF mutation coexistence (P = 0.044) and radioiodine-refractory character (P < 0.001). In the 36 cases whose imaging results underwent semiquantitative analysis, TERT mutation significantly correlated with non-radioiodine avidity, with a much lower mean tumor-to-background ratio (obtained from postradioiodine whole-body scanning) than in TERT wild-type cases (P < 0.001). In addition, patients with distant metastatic DTC with TERT mutation were more likely to lose radioiodine avidity at the initial radioiodine therapy than were those with only BRAF mutation (8/8 vs. 5/11; Fisher exact test, P = 0.018). CONCLUSION TERT mutation closely associates with non-radioiodine avidity in distant metastatic DTC, and when compared with BRAF mutation, TERT mutation manifested a greater negative influence on radioiodine uptake. TERT mutation could also be used as an early predictor of radioiodine-refractory cases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xue Yang
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jiao Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyi Li
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiyong Liang
- Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China; and
| | - Wen Gao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Liang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Shujun Cheng
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yansong Lin
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Cancer-Specific Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (TERT) Promoter Mutations: Biological and Clinical Implications. Genes (Basel) 2016; 7:genes7070038. [PMID: 27438857 PMCID: PMC4962008 DOI: 10.3390/genes7070038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2016] [Revised: 07/05/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The accumulated evidence has pointed to a key role of telomerase in carcinogenesis. As a RNA-dependent DNA polymerase, telomerase synthesizes telomeric DNA at the end of linear chromosomes, and attenuates or prevents telomere erosion associated with cell divisions. By lengthening telomeres, telomerase extends cellular life-span or even induces immortalization. Consistent with its functional activity, telomerase is silent in most human normal somatic cells while active only in germ-line, stem and other highly proliferative cells. In contrast, telomerase activation widely occurs in human cancer and the enzymatic activity is detectable in up to 90% of malignancies. Recently, hotspot point mutations in the regulatory region of the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene, encoding the core catalytic component of telomerase, was identified as a novel mechanism to activate telomerase in cancer. This review discusses the cancer-specific TERT promoter mutations and potential biological and clinical significances.
Collapse
|