ATM and γH2AX play a vital role in the detection of
DNA double-strand breaks (
DSB) and DNA damage response (DDR). This study aims to investigate ATM and γH2AX expression in
thyroid cancer and discuss possible relationship between thyroid function tests and DNA damage. The expression of ATM and γH2AX was detected by immunohistochemistry in 30 cases of benign
nodular goiter, 110 cases of well differentiated
thyroid cancer, 22 cases of poorly differentiated
thyroid cancer, and 21 cases of
anaplastic thyroid cancer. Clinicopathological features, including differentiation stages, distant
metastasis, lymph node metastasis, T classification, TNM stage, and tests of thyroid functions (TPOAb, Tg Ab, T3, FT3, T4, FT4, TSH, and Tg), were reviewed and their associations with γH2AX and ATM were analyzed. γH2AX and ATM expressed higher in
thyroid cancer tissues than in benign
nodular goiter and normal adjacent tissues. γH2AX was correlated with ATM in
thyroid cancer. Both γH2AX and ATM expression were associated with FT3. γH2AX was also associated with T classification, TNM stage, FT4, TSH, and differentiation status. Therefore both of ATM and γH2AX seem to correlate with
thyroid hormones and γH2AX plays a role in the differentiation status of
thyroid cancer.