Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene expression in FNA samples from thyroid neoplasms.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Diagnostics
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Distinguishing benign from malignant thyroid tumors is challenging, with up to 30% of fine-needle aspirations (FNA) yielding indeterminate results.
• Accurate preoperative diagnosis is crucial for effective thyroid cancer management.
• Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene expression is emerging as a potential biomarker.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the diagnostic utility of hTERT gene expression in thyroid FNA samples.
• To determine if hTERT expression can differentiate between benign and malignant thyroid tumors.
• To assess hTERT as a potential adjunctive marker for preoperative thyroid cancer diagnosis.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-seven preoperative thyroid FNA samples from suspected malignant tumors were analyzed.
• hTERT gene expression was detected using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
• Results were compared with cytological and histological diagnoses.

Main Results:

• hTERT expression was detected in 92.8% of malignant thyroid carcinomas (13/14).
• hTERT was also present in 61.5% of benign thyroid nodules (8/13).
• hTERT prevalence was higher in malignant samples compared to benign ones.

Conclusions:

• hTERT gene expression is more prevalent in malignant thyroid FNA samples than benign ones.
• Further investigation, including semi-quantitative methods, is needed to confirm hTERT's role as a preoperative diagnostic marker.
• The differential expression of hTERT in benign versus malignant follicular tumors requires additional study.