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Updated: Jul 31, 2026
07:01
An Orthotopic Mouse Model of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma
Published on: April 17, 2013
Calcitonin precursor levels in human medullary thyroid carcinoma
H Bihan1, K L Becker, R H Snider
1Avicenne Hospital, University of Paris XIII, Groupe d'Etudes des Tumeur à Calcitonine, Bobigny, France.
Thyroid : Official Journal of the American Thyroid Association
|October 16, 2003
Summary
Serum procalcitonin (CTpr) is universally present in medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) patients, exceeding mature calcitonin (CT) levels. Measuring CTpr offers a new dimension for evaluating MTC.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Mature calcitonin (CT) is a hormonal serum marker for medullary thyroid cancer (MTC).
- Other CALC-1 gene products, including procalcitonin (CTpr), may also be elevated in MTC patients' sera.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical utility of serum procalcitonin (CTpr) levels in patients with medullary thyroid cancer (MTC).
Main Methods:
- Twenty-one MTC patients were assessed using specific assays for mature CT and CTpr.
- Assays included a commercial immunoradiometric assay for CT and an immunoluminometric assay for CTpr.
Main Results:
- All MTC patients exhibited detectable serum CTpr, with levels averaging 7.6-fold higher than mature CT.
- CTpr levels showed a positive correlation with mature CT (r = 0.61; p < 0.001).
- CTpr levels increased markedly in patients with known metastases.
Conclusions:
- Serum CTpr is universally present in patients with medullary thyroid cancer (MTC).
- Measurement of CTpr may provide a novel approach for the clinical evaluation of MTC.
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