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MicroRNAs in Papillary Thyroid Cancer: What Is New in Diagnosis and Treatment
Maria Papaioannou1, Angeliki G Chorti2, Anthoula Chatzikyriakidou3
1Laboratory of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Introduction:
Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) accounts for up to 80% of thyroid malignancies. New diagnostic and therapeutic options are suggested including innovative molecular methods. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are nonprotein coding single-stranded RNAs that regulate many cell processes. The aim of the present study is to review the deregulated miRNAs associated with PTCs.
Methods:
A bibliographic research was conducted, resulting in 272 articles referred to miRNAs and PTC. Regarding our exclusion criteria, 183 articles were finally included in our review.
Results:
A remarkably large number of miRNAs have been found to be deregulated during PTC manifestation in the literature. The deregulated miRNAs are detected in tissue samples, serum/plasma, and FNA samples of patients with PTC. These miRNAs are related to several molecular pathways, involving genes and proteins responsible for important biological processes. MiRNA deregulation is associated with tumor aggressiveness, including larger tumor size, multifocality, extrathyroidal extension, lymphovascular invasion, lymph node and distant metastasis, and advanced tumor node metastasis stage.
Conclusion:
MiRNAs are proposed as new diagnostic and therapeutic tools regarding PTC. They could be essential biomarkers for PTC diagnosis applied in serum and FNA samples, while their contribution to prognosis is of great importance.
Insights
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) development. Deregulated miRNAs in tissue and blood samples show potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for PTC.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the most common thyroid malignancy.
- Innovative molecular methods, including microRNAs (miRNAs), are being explored for diagnosis and therapy.
- MicroRNAs are noncoding RNAs regulating crucial cellular processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review deregulated microRNAs (miRNAs) associated with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC).
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive bibliographic research was conducted on miRNAs and PTC.
- 183 articles were included in the review based on predefined exclusion criteria.
Main Results:
- Numerous miRNAs are deregulated in PTC, detected in tissue, serum/plasma, and FNA samples.
- These deregulated miRNAs are linked to key molecular pathways and biological processes.
- MiRNA deregulation correlates with PTC aggressiveness, including tumor size, metastasis, and advanced stage.
Conclusions:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) show promise as novel diagnostic and therapeutic tools for PTC.
- MiRNAs can serve as essential biomarkers in serum and FNA samples for PTC diagnosis.
- MiRNA analysis is crucial for assessing PTC prognosis.
