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Assessing the potential of high-mobility group AT-hook 2 immunohistochemical staining as a prognostic marker of metastatic recurrence in follicular thyroid cancer: a retrospective cohort study

  • 0Department of Genetic Diagnosis and Laboratory Medicine, Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi 321-0293, Japan.
Endocrine Journal +

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February 19, 2025

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February 19, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

High-mobility group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2) protein positivity in primary follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) predicts metastatic recurrence. Negative HMGA2 staining suggests better disease-free survival, aiding in thyroid cancer prognosis.

Area Of Science

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pathology

Background

  • High-mobility group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2) is a nuclear protein implicated in epithelial tumor proliferation and differentiation.
  • HMGA2 involvement in various malignant tumors, including thyroid cancer, is recognized.
  • Previous studies noted diffuse HMGA2 positivity in follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) via immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Purpose Of The Study

  • To evaluate HMGA2 as a prognostic marker in FTC.
  • To determine if positive HMGA2 staining predicts metastatic recurrence in FTC.
  • To identify prognostic factors associated with HMGA2 in malignant thyroid tumors.

Main Methods

  • Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for HMGA2 was performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) resected FTC specimens.
  • Statistical analysis was used to assess the association between HMGA2 staining, metastasis, and recurrence.
  • Kaplan-Meier curves were employed to analyze disease-free survival in relation to HMGA2 status.

Main Results

  • HMGA2 staining was positive in most malignant thyroid tissues and negative in benign tissues.
  • HMGA2 staining was observed in the marginal and invasive regions of FTC tissues.
  • A significant association was found between HMGA2 staining and metastasis/recurrence (p = 0.018).
  • Negative HMGA2 staining showed a trend towards better metastasis-free and disease-free survival (p = 0.090).
  • Tumor size (>4 cm) and wide invasion were significant prognostic factors (p = 0.043, p < 0.001).
  • The risk ratio for recurrence was 30% lower in tumors without HMGA2 compared to those with HMGA2.

Conclusions

  • Positive HMGA2 staining in primary FTC can predict metastatic recurrence.
  • Negative HMGA2 staining may indicate a longer disease-free survival post-surgery.
  • HMGA2 serves as a potential prognostic marker for metastatic recurrence in FTC.

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