Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2026
07:02
In Vivo Inhibition of MicroRNA to Decrease Tumor Growth in Mice
Published on: August 23, 2019
MicroRNA expression profiling is a potential diagnostic tool for thyroid cancer.
Menno R Vriens1, Julie Weng, Insoo Suh
1Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery, University University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands. m.r.vriens@umcutrecht.nl
Cancer
|October 19, 2011
Summary
MicroRNA (miRNA) expression analysis can differentiate benign from malignant thyroid tumors. This approach aids in diagnosing indeterminate fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies, improving thyroid cancer diagnosis accuracy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Thyroid fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies have a significant indeterminate rate (approx. 30%).
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) show differential expression in cancers and may play a role in thyroid carcinogenesis.
- Identifying reliable biomarkers is crucial for diagnosing indeterminate thyroid nodules.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate miRNA expression profiles in thyroid tissues.
- To identify specific miRNAs that can distinguish benign from malignant thyroid neoplasms.
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of miRNA expression in indeterminate FNA samples.
Main Methods:
- miRNA array analysis to identify differentially expressed miRNAs between pooled normal, benign, and malignant thyroid tissues.
- Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) validation of candidate miRNAs in 104 thyroid tissue samples and 125 indeterminate FNA samples.
- Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to determine diagnostic accuracy.
Main Results:
- Ten miRNAs exhibited >5-fold expression differences between benign and malignant thyroid neoplasms.
- Four miRNAs (miR-100, miR-125b, miR-138, miR-768-3p) were validated as significantly differentially expressed (P < .002).
- Diagnostic accuracy reached 79% overall, 98% for Hurthle cell neoplasms, and 71% for follicular neoplasms; miR-138 showed 75% accuracy in FNA samples.
Conclusions:
- Distinct miRNA expression patterns exist between normal, benign, and malignant thyroid tissues.
- miRNA expression analysis serves as a promising tool for differentiating benign from malignant thyroid neoplasms.
- This method can improve the diagnostic accuracy of indeterminate thyroid FNA biopsies.
Related Concept Videos
01:22MicroRNAs
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
01:22MicroRNAs
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA ends...