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Bae, Yoon, Bae, Son, Jung, Hong, Kim, Lee, Kim, and Ahn: Galectin-3 and Thyroid Peroxidase Expression in Thyroid Nodules
Original Article
Journal of Korean Endocrine Society

Journal of Korean Endocrine Society 2007; 22(2): 105-111.

Published online: 20 April 2007

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3803/jkes.2007.22.2.105

Galectin-3 and Thyroid Peroxidase Expression in Thyroid Nodules

Gyu Hwan Bae, Hyun Dae Yoon1, Jong Yup Bae1, Ho Sang Son, Eui Dal Jung, Sung Pyo Hong, Myung Hwan Kim, Sun Ah Lee, Hyun Sook Kim, Sun Young Ahn

Department of Internal Medicine, Daegu Catholic University College of Medicine, Korea.

1Raphael Internal Medicine Clinic, Korea.

Received 15 November 2006       Accepted 7 March 2007

Copyright © 2007 Korean Endocrine Society

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.

Keywords: Galectin-3, Molecular markers, Thyroid nodules, Thyroid peroxidase

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1
Galectin-3 is positive in papillary carcinoma. (Immunohistochemical stain, ×100)
jkes-22-105-g001
Fig. 2
Thyroid peroxidase is strongly expressed in follicular adenoma. (Immunohistochemical stain, ×100)
jkes-22-105-g002
Fig. 3
Thyroid peroxidase is not expressed in papillary carcinoma. Surrounding normal thyroid follicular cells are positive for thyroid peroxidase. (Immunohistochemical stain, ×200)
jkes-22-105-g003
Table 1
Results of galectin-3 and TPO staining*
jkes-22-105-i001

TPO; thyroid peroxidase, +; positive, -; negative, WDT-UMP; well-differentiated tumor of uncertain malignant potential.

* A positive result for galectin-3 or a negative result for TPO is consistent with cancer

* Numbers in parentheses are the percentage of cases

Table 2
Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values*
jkes-22-105-i002

TPO; thyroid peroxidase.

*Numbers in parentheses are the numbers of cases or number/total number, n = total number of cases.

†Total number of cases that performed galectin-3 positive and TPO negative immunostaining, respectively.

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