Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor receptor-2 (FGFR-2) plays an important role in tumorigenesis. In thyroid cancer it has been observed a FGFR-2 down-modulation, but the role of this receptor has not been yet clarified. Therefore, we decided to examine the expression of both FGFR-2 isoform, FGFR-2-IIIb and FGFR-2-IIIc, in different histological thyroid variants such as hyperplasia, follicular adenoma and papillary carcinoma. Immunohistochemistry and quantitative Real-Time PCR analyses were performed on samples of hyperplasia, follicular adenoma and papillary carcinoma, compared with normal thyroid tissue. Thyroid hyperplasia did not show statistically significant reduction in FGFR-2 protein and mRNA levels. Interestingly, in both follicular adenoma and papillary carcinoma samples we observed a strongly reduced expression of both FGFR-2 isoforms. We speculate that FGFR-2 down-modulation might be an early event in thyroid carcinogenesis. Furthermore, we suggest the potential use of FGFR-2 as an early marker for thyroid cancer diagnosis.
Publication types
-
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
-
Adenoma / diagnosis
-
Adenoma / genetics*
-
Adenoma / metabolism
-
Adenoma / pathology
-
Adult
-
Aged
-
Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics*
-
Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
-
Carcinogenesis / genetics
-
Carcinogenesis / metabolism
-
Carcinogenesis / pathology
-
Carcinoma, Papillary / diagnosis
-
Carcinoma, Papillary / genetics*
-
Carcinoma, Papillary / metabolism
-
Carcinoma, Papillary / pathology
-
Female
-
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
-
Humans
-
Hyperplasia / diagnosis
-
Hyperplasia / genetics
-
Hyperplasia / metabolism
-
Hyperplasia / pathology
-
Male
-
Middle Aged
-
Protein Isoforms / genetics
-
Protein Isoforms / metabolism
-
RNA, Messenger / genetics*
-
RNA, Messenger / metabolism
-
Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 2 / genetics*
-
Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 2 / metabolism
-
Signal Transduction
-
Thyroid Gland / metabolism
-
Thyroid Gland / pathology
-
Thyroid Neoplasms / diagnosis
-
Thyroid Neoplasms / genetics*
-
Thyroid Neoplasms / metabolism
-
Thyroid Neoplasms / pathology
Substances
-
Biomarkers, Tumor
-
Protein Isoforms
-
RNA, Messenger
-
FGFR2 protein, human
-
Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 2
Grants and funding
This work was partially supported by grants from Sapienza University of Rome, Italy (Ateneo 2011 - prot. C26A117TS5). No additional external funding received for this study. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.