SHMT2 expression as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for thyroid cancer

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2 (SHMT2) is crucial for tumorigenesis via the mitochondrial one-carbon unit pathway.
• SHMT2's role in thyroid cancer warrants investigation due to its established importance in cancer development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate SHMT2 expression in various thyroid tissues.
• To determine the association between SHMT2 expression and clinical outcomes in thyroid cancer.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of SHMT2 protein expression in benign nodules, papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC), anaplastic thyroid carcinomas (ATC), and normal thyroid tissues.
• Utilizing The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database to assess SHMT2 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression and correlate it with clinical data.

Main Results:

• SHMT2 protein expression was significantly higher in ATCs (95.0%) and PTCs (73.6%) compared to benign (19.2%) and normal (0%) thyroid tissues.
• SHMT2 mRNA levels were elevated in tumors, inversely correlated with thyroid differentiation score and positively with stemness index.
• High SHMT2 expression was linked to advanced TNM stages and reduced progression-free survival in thyroid cancer patients.

Conclusions:

• SHMT2 expression is significantly upregulated in thyroid cancers relative to benign and normal tissues.
• Elevated SHMT2 is associated with tumor de-differentiation and adverse clinical outcomes, including poorer survival.
• SHMT2 presents potential as a valuable diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for thyroid cancer.