[Low galectin-3 capacity to discriminate thyroid lesions].

Abstract

UNLABELLED:

Galectin-3 is considered useful in identifying lesions included in the term follicular tumour.

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate galectin-3's power to discriminate among diverse thyroid lesions and to identify a set point of expression at which there is the least possible false positive results.

METHODS:

26 follicular carcinomas and 104 assorted thyroid lesions were analysed (8 Hashimoto's thyroiditis, 18 goiter, 44 adenoma, 27 papillary carcinoma and 7 normal glands). Immunohistochemistry for galectin-3 was performed way (NCL-GAL-3, 1:100, Novocastra, UK). In a blinded manner intensity and percentage of expression were evaluated, as was its capacity to identify the previously mentioned thyroid entities with 2 x 2 tables. Minimum reactivity set point values were identified and the one which presented the least false positive cases was selected.

RESULTS:

A reaction was considered positive when 25% of the cells were marked, in which case neither the Hashimoto's thyroiditis, goiter, nor the residual tissue were positive for galectin-3. A positive galectin-3 reaction was identified in 4/44 adenomas, 5/26 follicular carcinomas and 18/27 papillary carcinomas. From a total of 53 carcinomas, 23 showed positive and 30 a negative reaction to galectin-3. Thus, galectin-3's sensitivity to discriminate between benign and malignant lesions was 94% while its specificity was 43%. When comparing follicular carcinoma with adenoma, sensibility was 19% while specificity was 91%. The positive predictive value was 56% and the negative predictive value 66%. Galectin-3 was most useful for identifying papillary thyroid carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS:

Galectin-3 has limited value to distinguish benign from malignant thyroid lesions. The reaction must be considered positive when at least 25% of cells are marked.

• Authors: Romulo De-León-Mazariegos, Marcela Canedo-Patzi, Bernardo Pérez-Enríquez, Fernando Candanedo-Gonzalez, Milena Saqui-Salces, Armando Gamboa-Domínguez, Juan A Rull-Rodrigo
• Journal: Revista de investigacion clinica; organo del Hospital de Enfermedades de la Nutricion (Rev Invest Clin) 2004 Sep-Oct Vol. 56 Issue 5 Pg. 623-8 ISSN: 0034-8376 [Print] Mexico
• Vernacular Title: Baja capacidad de galectina-3 para discriminar lesiones tiroideas.
• PMID: 15776867 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Galectin 3

Topics

• Carcinoma, Papillary, Follicular (chemistry, diagnosis, metabolism)
• Case-Control Studies
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Galectin 3 (analysis, biosynthesis)
• Humans
• Predictive Value of Tests
• Sensitivity and Specificity
• Thyroid Diseases (diagnosis, metabolism)
• Thyroid Neoplasms (chemistry, diagnosis, metabolism)