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Calcitonin receptor expression in medullary thyroid carcinoma
Virginia Cappagli1,2, Catarina Soares Potes3,4,5, Luciana Bueno Ferreira1,3,6
1Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto, Portugal.
Peerj
|September 21, 2017
Summary
Calcitonin receptor (CTR) expression is common in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Higher CTR expression correlates with better prognostic indicators, suggesting a more differentiated tumor status.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Calcitonin is a known marker for medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).
- The role of the calcitonin receptor (CTR) in MTC remains unclear.
- Investigating CTR expression may reveal its prognostic significance in thyroid tumors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate calcitonin receptor (CTR) expression in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).
- To correlate CTR expression with clinicopathological features.
- To evaluate CTR as a prognostic indicator for MTC aggressiveness and patient outcome.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze CTR expression in 75 MTC samples.
- Quantitative PCR (qPCR) measured CTR mRNA in four patient specimens.
- Statistical analyses correlated CTR expression with clinicopathological and molecular characteristics.
Main Results:
- Calcitonin receptor (CTR) expression was detected in 82.7% of MTC samples.
- CTR expression positively associated with PTEN and osteopontin expression.
- CTR expression correlated with wild-type RET/RAS genes and absence of tumor stroma, indicating no association with poor prognostic signs.
Conclusions:
- Calcitonin receptor (CTR) expression in MTC is linked to a more differentiated neoplastic cell status.
- CTR expression may serve as a potential biomarker for MTC differentiation.
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