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Published on: August 19, 2025
Comparative serum proteomic analysis identified afamin as a downregulated protein in papillary thyroid carcinoma
Hong-Jun Song1, Yan-Li Xue, Zhong-Ling Qiu
1Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
Background:
The loss of 131I uptake ability in metastases from differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) is becoming a major obstacle in radioiodine treatment. However, there is no effective way to screen for 131I uptake ability in metastases. The identification of differentially expressed proteins by serum proteomics may contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the dedifferentiation of DTC.
Materials And Methods:
Serum samples were obtained from papillary thyroid carcinoma patients with non-131I-avid lung metastases and 131I-avid lung metastases. Differential protein analysis was performed using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Candidate protein spots showing differences in expression between the two groups were identified by means of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and were validated by western blotting.
Results:
We found that afamin is downregulated in the serum of papillary thyroid carcinoma patients with non-131I-avid lung metastases.
Conclusion:
Afamin may be a potential serum biomarker for early screening of 131I uptake ability in DTC metastases and could therefore be of value in guiding radioiodine treatment decisions.
Insights
Afamin is downregulated in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) lung metastases that do not take up radioactive iodine (131I). This finding may help screen for 131I uptake ability in DTC metastases.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) treatment faces challenges due to metastatic lesions losing radioactive iodine (131I) uptake ability.
- Effective screening methods for 131I uptake in metastases are lacking.
- Serum proteomics may reveal mechanisms of DTC dedifferentiation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify serum protein differences between patients with 131I-avid and non-131I-avid lung metastases from DTC.
- To find potential biomarkers for predicting 131I uptake in DTC metastases.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples from papillary thyroid carcinoma patients with varying 131I-avid lung metastases were analyzed.
- Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry were used for differential protein analysis.
- Candidate proteins were validated using western blotting.
Main Results:
- Afamin was found to be significantly downregulated in the serum of patients with non-131I-avid lung metastases.
- This downregulation suggests a link between afamin levels and 131I uptake in DTC metastases.
Conclusions:
- Afamin may serve as a potential serum biomarker for the early screening of 131I uptake ability in DTC metastases.
- Identifying afamin's role could aid in guiding radioiodine treatment decisions for DTC patients.
