Project description:Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinomas (PDTC) represent a heterogeneous, aggressive entity, presenting features that suggest a progression from well-differentiated carcinomas. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying such progression and identify novel therapeutical targets, we assessed the genome-wide expression in normal thyroid tissues, well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas and PDTC.
Project description:Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinomas (PDTC) represent a heterogeneous, aggressive entity, presenting features that suggest a progression from well-differentiated carcinomas. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying such progression and identify novel therapeutical targets, we assessed the genome-wide expression in normal thyroid tissues, well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas and PDTC. RNA were extracted from 2 normal thyroid tissues taken from the opposite lobe of thyroid tumors, and 24 thyroid carcinomas: 5 PDTC, 7 classic papillary thyroid carcinomas (cPTC), 8 follicular variants of PTC (fvPTC) and 4 follicular thyroid carcinomas (FTC). All samples were obtained at time of surgery and immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen. We also hybridized a commercial pool of human thyroid total RNA (BD Bioscience). PTC were screened for BRAF mutations and rearrangements of RET/PTC and, in addition, follicular variants were also analyzed for RAS mutations and PAX8-PPARG rearrangements. FTC were screened for RAS and PAX8-PPARG rearrangements. PDTC were analyzed for BRAF, RAS and PAX8-PPARG genes.
Project description:We established transcriptional profiles by microarray in a small series of follicular cell derived thyroid cancers collected at our Institute. This series comprises 27 papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs), the most common type of thyroid cancer, and 3 poorly differentiated thyroid carcinomas (PDTCs). Two patient matched non-neoplastic thyroids are also included as controls.
Project description:Gene expression profiling of immortalized human mesenchymal stem cells with hTERT/E6/E7 transfected MSCs. hTERT may change gene expression in MSCs. Goal was to determine the gene expressions of immortalized MSCs.
Project description:Anaplastic thyroid carcinomas (ATC) are rare, but represent the most lethal malignancy of the thyroid. Selective molecular markers and drivers distinguishing ATC from other thyroid carcinomas of follicular origin remain largely unknown, limiting advances in diagnosis and treatment. In a retrospective study, we analyzed gene expression in 36 ATC, 18 poorly-differentiated, 132 papillary and 55 follicular thyroid carcinoma, as well as 124 paired and un-paired normal thyroid tissues in three independent cohorts by RNA-sequencing and immunohistochemistry. RNA-sequencing data in the test cohort suggested selective ATC protein biomarkers. Evaluation of these revealed that ATCs are characterized by the de novo expression of various testis antigens, including melanoma-associated antigen A3 (MAGEA3), but most importantly the oncofetal IGF2 mRNA binding protein 1 (IGF2BP1). Shallow whole genome-sequencing essentially excluded, that IGF2BP1 upregulation results from gene copy number alterations. Immunohistochemical analyses in all three tumor cohorts confirmed selective de novo expression of IGF2BP1 protein in ATC. In sum, 75 % (27/36) of all tested ATC and 0.5 % (1/204) of poorly and well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma tissue samples were positive for IGF2BP1 protein. This indicates that IGF2BP1 protein expression identifies ATC with a diagnostic odds ratio of 612 (95 % CI: 74.6 to 5021). In addition, we found that MAGEA3 is exclusively, although less consistently upregulated in ATC, presenting with an odds ratio of 411 (95 % CI: 23.8 to 7098.7). Importantly, we provide confirmatory evidence that IGF2BP1 and MAGEA3 expression distinguishes ATC from partially differentiated thyroid carcinomas (PDTCs). IGF2BP1 furthermore identified ATC foci within low-grade follicular thyroid carcinoma. In conclusion, IGF2BP1 represents the most promising single-gene marker available for ATC, followed by MAGEA3, improving on current techniques. Robust markers are essential to help distinguish this high-grade malignancy from other thyroid carcinomas, to guide surgical decision making, therapy and post-resection/therapy monitoring strategies.
Project description:Anaplastic thyroid carcinomas (ATC) are rare, but represent the most lethal malignancy of the thyroid. Selective molecular markers and drivers distinguishing ATC from other thyroid carcinomas of follicular origin remain largely unknown, limiting advances in diagnosis and treatment. In a retrospective study, we analyzed gene expression in 36 ATC, 18 poorly-differentiated, 132 papillary and 55 follicular thyroid carcinoma, as well as 124 paired and un-paired normal thyroid tissues in three independent cohorts by RNA-sequencing and immunohistochemistry. RNA-sequencing data in the test cohort suggested selective ATC protein biomarkers. Evaluation of these revealed that ATCs are characterized by the de novo expression of various testis antigens, including melanoma-associated antigen A3 (MAGEA3), but most importantly the oncofetal IGF2 mRNA binding protein 1 (IGF2BP1). Shallow whole genome-sequencing essentially excluded, that IGF2BP1 upregulation results from gene copy number alterations. Immunohistochemical analyses in all three tumor cohorts confirmed selective de novo expression of IGF2BP1 protein in ATC. In sum, 75 % (27/36) of all tested ATC and 0.5 % (1/204) of poorly and well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma tissue samples were positive for IGF2BP1 protein. This indicates that IGF2BP1 protein expression identifies ATC with a diagnostic odds ratio of 612 (95 % CI: 74.6 to 5021). In addition, we found that MAGEA3 is exclusively, although less consistently upregulated in ATC, presenting with an odds ratio of 411 (95 % CI: 23.8 to 7098.7). Importantly, we provide confirmatory evidence that IGF2BP1 and MAGEA3 expression distinguishes ATC from partially differentiated thyroid carcinomas (PDTCs). IGF2BP1 furthermore identified ATC foci within low-grade follicular thyroid carcinoma. In conclusion, IGF2BP1 represents the most promising single-gene marker available for ATC, followed by MAGEA3, improving on current techniques. Robust markers are essential to help distinguish this high-grade malignancy from other thyroid carcinomas, to guide surgical decision making, therapy and post-resection/therapy monitoring strategies.