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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
Summary
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.