Expression of thyroid transcription factor 1 in primary brain tumours.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF-1) is expressed in a proportion of carcinomas derived from follicular thyroid cells and respiratory epithelium. Immunohistochemical detection of this protein was shown previously to be a helpful aid in tumour diagnosis, specifically in deciding whether a tumour is primary to the lung/thyroid gland or metastatic. Recently, TTF-1 expression was also observed in certain areas of postnatal brain.

AIM/METHOD:

To investigate the expression of TTF-1 protein in a spectrum of 73 primary brain tumours including astrocytomas, glioblastomas, ependymomas, oligodendrogliomas, medulloblastomas, and gangliogliomas of different sites.

RESULTS:

All the tumours were negative for TTF-1 except for two ependymomas of the third ventricle.

CONCLUSIONS:

The expression of TTF-1 in brain tumours appears to be site specific rather than associated with tumour dedifferentiation. The presented expression of TTF-1 protein in certain primary brain tumours should be taken into consideration when interpreting the immunohistochemical staining of brain tumours of uncertain primary site.

• Authors: J Zamecnik, M Chanova, R Kodet
• Journal: Journal of clinical pathology (J Clin Pathol) Vol. 57 Issue 10 Pg. 1111-3 (Oct 2004) ISSN: 0021-9746 [Print] England
• PMID: 15452173 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers, Tumor
• NKX2-1 protein, human
• Nuclear Proteins
• Thyroid Nuclear Factor 1
• Transcription Factors

Topics

• Biomarkers, Tumor (analysis)
• Brain Neoplasms (chemistry)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Ependymoma (chemistry)
• Female
• Glioblastoma (chemistry)
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry (methods)
• Male
• Medulloblastoma (chemistry)
• Nuclear Proteins (analysis)
• Pilot Projects
• Thyroid Nuclear Factor 1
• Transcription Factors (analysis)