Background: For management of thyroid nodules, distinction between benign and malignant tumours is essential. The study was performed to evaluate the diagnostic value of molecular markers in different thyroid tumours.
Materials and methods: Immunohistochemistry for CD56, HBME-1, COX-2, Ki-67, p53 and E-cadherin (E-CAD) was performed in 113 benign and 35 malignant thyroid lesions including 36 follicular adenomas (FA), 77 colloid goitres, 26 papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC) and 9 follicular carcinomas (FC). The results were scored semiquantitatively by staining intensity (0-3 scale) and percentage of positive cells.
Results: PTC was characterised by decreased E-CAD and CD56 expression in contrast to surrounding benign thyroid tissues. HBME-1 expression was absent in benign thyroid tissues but was notably high in PTC and occasionally in FC. The expression of E-CAD and CD56 in FA was significantly higher than in the surrounding thyroid tissues. No expression of p53 was found in any group. The expression of COX-2 was low in all lesions. The proliferation activity by Ki-67 was generally low; however, it was significantly higher in cancers.
Conclusions: The panel consisting of three markers, HBME-1, E-CAD and CD56, can be recommended as an adjunct to morphology criteria. HBME-1 is found in malignant lesions only and is the most sensitive and specific single marker in PTC. Decreased expression of E-CAD and CD56 distinguishes PTC from FA and FC. Both FA and FC are characterised by high expression of E-CAD and CD56. The practical use of Ki-67 is difficult due to low values. The role of adhesion factors in thyroid malignancies may be superior in comparison with cell proliferation.