[Significance of galectin-3 and CD44v6 expression in differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the difference of galectin-3 and CD44v6 expression between benign and malignant thyroid nodules, and to evaluate their clinical value in distinguishing thyroid cancer from benign thyroid nodules.

METHODS:

The expression of galectin-3 and CD44v6 was immunohistochemically detected by the ABC method in 143 benign and malignant thyroid nodule samples.

RESULTS:

Expression of these two markers in benign thyroid nodules: galectin-3 was negative in 10 cases of para-cancer normal tissue and 14 cases of benign nodules found in the other benign thyroid disease. It was weakly positive in 4 of 52 nodular goiter (7.7%). Also it was weakly positive in 2 of 22 follicular adenomas (9.1%). But all three eosinophilic follicular adenomas were diffusely or focally positive for galectin-3. CD44v6 was negative in 10 cases of para-cancer normal tissue, but positive in 4 of 14 nodular lesions found in benign thyroid diseases (28.6%). It was also positive in 16 of 52 nodular goiters (30.8%), and weakly positive in 7 of 22 follicular adenomas (31.8%). The two markers in malignant lesions: galectin-3 was positive in 50 of 52 thyroid adenocarcinoma (96.2%), CD44v6 was positive in 42 of 52 thyroid adenocarcinoma (80.8%). The positive rate of galectin-3 and CD44v6 expression in thyroid cancer was significantly higher than that in benign thyroid nodule and normal tissue (P < 0.001). The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of galectin-3 combined with CD44v6 in differentiating benign from malignant thyroid nodule were 80.8%, 93.4%, 88.8%; they were 96.2%, 90.1%, 92.3% for Galectin-3 alone.

CONCLUSION:

The immunohistochemical expression of galectin-3 and CD44v6 by the ABC method is significantly higher in thyroid cancers than in benign thyroid nodules, especially galectin-3 in thyrocyte being helpful in differentiating benign thyroid nodule from thyroid cancer.

• Authors: Li-hua Wang, Yong-ju Zhao, Xiao-ying Wang, Ping Yuan, Wei-qing Xu, Jia-cheng Xiao, Jin-ping Xu, Bang-rao Luo
• Journal: Zhonghua zhong liu za zhi [Chinese journal of oncology] (Zhonghua Zhong Liu Za Zhi) Vol. 27 Issue 9 Pg. 547-50 (Sep 2005) ISSN: 0253-3766 [Print] China
• PMID: 16438854 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers, Tumor
• CD44v6 antigen
• Galectin 3
• Glycoproteins
• Hyaluronan Receptors

Topics

• Adenocarcinoma, Papillary (diagnosis, metabolism)
• Adenoma (diagnosis, metabolism)
• Biomarkers, Tumor (biosynthesis)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Female
• Galectin 3 (biosynthesis)
• Glycoproteins (biosynthesis)
• Humans
• Hyaluronan Receptors (biosynthesis)
• Immunohistochemistry
• Male
• Thyroid Neoplasms (diagnosis, metabolism)
• Thyroid Nodule (diagnosis, metabolism)