Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Publication

BRAF and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in papillary thyroid carcinoma - challenging the roles of Snail and E-Cadherin

Mitchell, Brendon
Leone, Dominick
Yang, Shi
Khan, Ashraf
Mahalingam, Meera
Dhingra, Jagdish
Embargo Expiration Date
Link to Full Text
Abstract

OBJECTIVE: In papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), while the role of BRAF is well established, the contribution of BRAF to epithelial-mesenchymal transition is not.

STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: To elucidate the relationship between BRAF, surrogates of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (Snail, E-cadherin) and established histopathologic prognosticators in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

SUBJECTS/METHODS: In this IRB approved cross-sectional study, 50 cases of archived annotated PTC samples were retrieved and immunohistochemically stained for Snail and E-cadherin protein. A semi-quantitative scoring system (incorporating proportion and intensity) was utilized.

RESULTS: Snail and E-cadherin expression were noted in 44% and 84% of BRAF mutant and, in 29% and 95% of BRAFWT samples, respectively. No statistically significant correlations were noted between Snail, E-cadherin and histopathologic prognosticators. However, a trend was noted between Snail expression and tumor size < 5 cm (P=0.07). Statistically significant differences between BRAF mutant and BRAFWT samples were noted in the following groups: conventional (68% vs. 5%) and tall cell (32% vs. 0%) histopathologic variants, extrathyroidal extension (32% vs. 5%), infiltrative growth pattern (80% vs. 48%), presence of desmoplasia (72% vs. 29%), psammona bodies (48% vs. 10%), and cystic change (32% vs. 5%). Among follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma compared to BRAF mutant samples, BRAFWT samples were more commonly of the encapsulated variety (52% vs. 4%), and microcarcinomas (29% vs. 0%) (P < 0.001 and =0.007, respectively).

CONCLUSION: Our findings, supporting the utility of BRAF as a putative therapeutic target in PTC, suggest that the interaction between BRAF and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in papillary thyroid carcinoma is not through induction of the Snail/E-cadherin pathway.

Source

Am J Transl Res. 2016 Nov 15;8(11):5076-5086. eCollection 2016. Link to article on publisher's website

Year of Medical School at Time of Visit
Sponsors
Dates of Travel
DOI
PubMed ID
27904709
Other Identifiers
Notes
Funding and Acknowledgements
Corresponding Author
Related Resources
Related Resources
Repository Citation
Rights
AJTR Copyright © 2016. Publisher PDF posted as allowed by the publisher's author rights policy at http://www.ajtr.org/guidelines.html.