J Korean Endocr Soc.  2007 Apr;22(2):105-111. 10.3803/jkes.2007.22.2.105.

Galectin-3 and Thyroid Peroxidase Expression in Thyroid Nodules

• Bae GH
• Yoon HD
• Bae JY
• Son HS
• Jung ED
• Hong SP
• Kim MH
• Lee SA
• Kim HS
• Ahn SY

• KMID: 1523090
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3803/jkes.2007.22.2.105

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The accurate diagnosis of a thyroid nodule is important in deciding a patient's treatment plan and for predicting the prognosis. The histopathological diagnosis of resected specimens are largely positively accomplished, but the consistency of the diagnosis is low when the specimen shows a small carcinomatous cytological feature or the nodule does not express papillary proliferation. Therefore, the need for supplementary diagnostic measures is increased. Herein, the expressions of galectin-3 and thyroid peroxidase (TPO) of resected specimens were investigated using immunohistochemical staining, and their potential for contributing to an accurate diagnosis studied.
METHODS
The specimens included 195 resected thyroid nodules obtained from 179 patients having undergone thyroid surgery. Immunohistochemical staining for two useful antibodies, galectin-3 and TPO, were performed, and the expressions of these two antibodies investigated with regard to the histological diagnosis.
RESULTS
The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of galectin-3 and TPO for detecting papillary carcinomas were all 100%, but these values were low for other forms of carcinoma.
CONCLUSION
Our data showed the diagnosis of thyroid nodules, using immunohistochemical staining for galectin-3 and TPO, was very useful for detecting thyroid papillary carcinoma, but insufficiently sensitive for follicular carcinoma. Immunohistochemical staining for TPO is also useful for distinguishing cases when a false positive result for galectin-3 is obtained.

Keyword

Galectin-3; Molecular markers; Thyroid nodules; Thyroid peroxidase

MeSH Terms

Antibodies
Carcinoma, Papillary
Diagnosis
Galectin 3*
Humans
Iodide Peroxidase*
Prognosis
Sensitivity and Specificity
Thyroid Gland*
Thyroid Nodule*
Antibodies
Galectin 3
Iodide Peroxidase

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Galectin-3 is positive in papillary carcinoma. (Immunohistochemical stain, ×100)

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  Fig. 2 Thyroid peroxidase is strongly expressed in follicular adenoma. (Immunohistochemical stain, ×100)

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  Fig. 3 Thyroid peroxidase is not expressed in papillary carcinoma. Surrounding normal thyroid follicular cells are positive for thyroid peroxidase. (Immunohistochemical stain, ×200)

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