Differential Expression of Glycolysis-Related Proteins in Follicular Neoplasms versus Hürthle Cell Neoplasms: A Retrospective Analysis

• Published in: Disease markers Vol. 2017; no. 2017; pp. 1 - 10
• Main Authors: Kim, Hye Min, Koo, Ja Seung
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cairo, Egypt Hindawi Publishing Corporation 01.01.2017; Hindawi; John Wiley & Sons, Inc; Hindawi Limited
• Subjects: Adenoma - genetics; Adenoma - metabolism; Adenoma, Oxyphilic - genetics; Adenoma, Oxyphilic - metabolism; Cancer; Carbonic Anhydrase IX - genetics; Carbonic Anhydrase IX - metabolism; Carcinoma; Carcinoma - genetics; Carcinoma - metabolism; Comparative analysis; Female; Gene expression; Genetic aspects; Glucose Transporter Type 1 - genetics; Glucose Transporter Type 1 - metabolism; Glycolysis; Hexokinase; Hexokinase - genetics; Hexokinase - metabolism; Humans; Male; Metabolism; Middle Aged; Monocarboxylic Acid Transporters - genetics; Monocarboxylic Acid Transporters - metabolism; Muscle Proteins - genetics; Muscle Proteins - metabolism; Neoplasia; Neoplasms; Proteins; Thyroid cancer; Thyroid Neoplasms - genetics; Thyroid Neoplasms - metabolism; Tumors
• ISSN: 0278-0240; 1875-8630
• DOI: 10.1155/2017/6230294

Purpose. Although currently classified as variants of follicular neoplasms (FNs), Hürthle cell neoplasms (HCNs) exhibit distinct biological characteristics. Hence, the metabolism of both neoplasms may also be different. The aims of this study were to investigate and compare the expression of glycolysis-related proteins in HCNs and FNs and to determine the clinical implications of such expression. Methods. Tissue microarrays were constructed with 265 samples of FNs (112 follicular carcinomas (FCs) and 153 follicular adenomas (FAs)) as well as 108 samples of HCNs (27 Hürthle cell carcinomas (HCCs) and 81 Hürthle cell adenomas (HCAs)). Immunohistochemical staining for the glycolysis-related molecules Glut-1, hexokinase II, CAIX, and MCT4 was performed. Results. The expression levels of Glut-1, hexokinase II, CAIX, and MCT4 were significantly higher in HCNs than in FNs (p<0.001). Glut-1, hexokinase II, CAIX, and MCT4 expression levels were highest in HCC, followed by HCA, FC, and FA (all p<0.001). In HCC, hexokinase II positivity was associated with large tumor size (>4 cm) (p=0.046), CAIX positivity with vascular invasion (p=0.005), and MCT4 positivity with extrathyroidal extension (p=0.030). Conclusion. The expression levels of the glycolysis-related proteins Glut-1, hexokinase II, CAIX, and MCT4 were higher in HCNs than in FNs and in HCCs than in HCAs.