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Mitochondrial DNA alterations in thyroid cancer

Betty C Tong1, Patrick K Ha, Karan Dhir

  • 1Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.

Journal of Surgical Oncology
|March 6, 2003
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Mitochondrial DNA alterations in the D310 region were found in various thyroid cancers. These mutations occurred at a lower rate than in other epithelial tumors, regardless of cancer grade.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Mitochondrial DNA alterations are common in various solid tumors.
  • The D310 region, a homopolymeric C stretch in the mitochondrial D-loop, is a known mutational hotspot.
  • Previous studies identified D310 alterations in several cancer types.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate genetic alterations in the D310 region of mitochondrial DNA in thyroid cancer.
  • To determine the frequency and types of D310 mutations in different thyroid carcinoma subtypes.

Main Methods:

  • Examined 72 thyroid cancer samples for D310 alterations.
  • Utilized Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-based techniques for mutation detection.
  • Analyzed papillary, medullary, anaplastic, and follicular carcinomas.

Main Results:

  • D310 alterations were detected in 6.9% of thyroid tumors overall (5 out of 72).
  • Specific alteration rates included 5.7% in papillary, 5.6% in medullary, and 11.1% in anaplastic and follicular carcinomas.
  • Mutations were observed across various thyroid cancer subtypes.

Conclusions:

  • Mutations in the D310 region of mitochondrial DNA are present in diverse thyroid tumors.
  • The observed mutation rate in thyroid cancer is lower compared to other epithelial cancers.
  • No correlation was found between D310 mutations and the histologic grade of thyroid tumors.

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