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Published on: July 30, 2011

High plasma amylin/islet amyloid polypeptide levels in patients with residual medullary thyroid carcinoma after total

M Alevizaki1, S I Grigorakis, S Tseleni-Balafouta

  • 11st Endocrine Section and Diabetes Centre, Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Alexandra University Hospital, 80, Vassilissis Sofias Avenue, 115 28 Athens, Greece. mani@OTENET.gr

European Journal of Endocrinology
|November 27, 2001
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) cells express islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) at the peptide level, leading to elevated plasma IAPP levels in patients. This suggests IAPP expression may be a feature of MTC malignancy.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Previous studies detected islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) mRNA in medullary thyroid carcinomas (MTCs).
  • The expression of IAPP peptide in MTC tissues remained unconfirmed.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether the amylin/IAPP gene is expressed as the IAPP peptide in MTC tissues.
  • To determine if IAPP peptide expression in MTC correlates with elevated peripheral plasma levels.

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemistry was used to study IAPP expression in MTC and lymph-node metastasis tissues.
  • Fasting serum insulin, plasma glucose, IAPP, and calcitonin levels were measured in 10 MTC patients and 18 controls.

Main Results:

  • Seven out of ten MTC patients exhibited abnormally elevated IAPP levels.
  • IAPP peptide staining was observed in MTC samples and lymph-node metastases.
  • Plasma IAPP and serum insulin levels showed a significantly steeper correlation in MTC patients compared to controls.

Conclusions:

  • MTC cells express IAPP at the peptide level.
  • This expression leads to increased peripheral plasma IAPP levels.
  • Further research is needed to ascertain if IAPP expression is a characteristic of malignant disease.

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