Correlation of TgAb With Clinicopathological Features and Unfavorable Efficacy of 131I Ablation in PTC

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common malignant thyroid cancer. Several clinicopathological features may affect therapeutic efficacy.

To analyze the relationship between thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) with clinicopathological features and efficacy of 131I ablation in PTC patients.

A total of 548 PTC patients who underwent total thyroidectomy and subsequent 131I ablation were enrolled. The clinicopathological features between TgAb-positive and TgAb-negative groups were compared. The clinicopathological characteristics and risk factors affecting the efficacy of 131I ablation were analyzed.

A total of 157 cases (28.65%) were in the preoperative TgAb-positive group and 391 cases (71.35%) were in the TgAb-negative group. The TgAb-positive group was younger and had a higher proportion of females, anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) positivity, multiple foci, coexistence of PTC, Hashimoto thyroiditis, and increased TSH; they had reduced FT4 and FT3, and reduced BRAF positivity (all P < .05). Logistic regression analysis showed positive correlation between TgAb positivity and multifocality (P < .05). Compared with the noneffective group (88 cases, 16.06%), the effective group (460 cases, 84.94%) had a reduced proportion of TgAb positivity and multifocality, a shorter time interval between surgery and subsequent 131I ablation, and a lower proportion of initial 131I ablation dosage > 100 mCi (all P < .05). Logistic regression showed that TgAb positivity, longer time interval between surgery and subsequent 131I ablation, and initial 131I ablation dosage > 100 mCi were positively correlated with nonefficacy of 131I ablation (odds ratios 2.248, 1.012, and 3.128, respectively; P < .05).

TgAb positivity is associated with increased risk of multiple foci and unfavorable efficacy of 131I ablation in PTC.