Inside the Matrix: Integrated Cytology and Molecular Testing of Thyroid FNAC Samples Using a Commercial Synthetic 3D...

Area of Science:

• Cytopathology
• Molecular Diagnostics
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Accurate preoperative assessment of thyroid nodules is challenging, especially for indeterminate cytological categories.
• Integrating molecular testing with cytology can enhance diagnostic precision and patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of molecular testing on thyroid fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) samples processed using CytoMatrix.
• To assess if CytoMatrix preserves cellular material for both cytological evaluation and DNA extraction.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-three thyroid FNAC specimens were processed on CytoMatrix.
• Cytological diagnoses were correlated with final histopathology.
• DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded CytoMatrix sections and analyzed for the BRAF V600E mutation.

Main Results:

• Adequate DNA for molecular testing was obtained in 90% (30/33) of cases.
• BRAF V600E mutations were detected in three papillary thyroid carcinoma samples.
• DNA adequacy was consistent across Bethesda categories III-V, with limitations in low-cellularity Bethesda III cases.

Conclusions:

• CytoMatrix enables reliable DNA recovery for targeted molecular testing without compromising cytological evaluation.
• This integrated cytomolecular workflow is a feasible approach for thyroid FNAC.
• The method supports personalized and timely diagnostic management for thyroid nodules.