| 1. |
- Gimm, Oliver, et al.
(författare)
-
Increased diagnostic sensitivity of palpation-guided thyroid nodule fine-needle aspiration cytology by BRAF V600E-mutation analysis
- 2021
-
Ingår i: The journal of pathology. Clinical research. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 2056-4538. ; 7:6, s. 556-564
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common type of thyroid cancer and its incidence is increasing. Preoperative diagnosis is warranted in order to avoid two-stage procedures that are associated with additional costs and higher radioactive iodine remnant uptake. In the setting of thyroid cancer, somatic BRAF V600E-mutations are highly specific for PTC and can be analyzed in aspirates from fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). The gold standard to perform FNAC is ultrasound guidance. Here, we analyze whether adding BRAF V600E-mutation analysis could be of value in palpation-guided FNACs. A total of 430 consecutive patients were included. Ultrasound-guided FNACs were performed in 251 patients and 179 patients underwent palpation-guided FNACs. BRAF V600E-mutation analysis was performed using two methods, an allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyzed by capillary gel electrophoresis (PCR/Qiaxcel), and a droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) assay. A total of 80 patients underwent surgery, and histology revealed 25 patients to have PTC. Of the 25 PTCs, 23 (92%) showed a BRAF V600E-mutation. Both mutation analysis methods (PCR/Qiaxcel and ddPCR) produced concordant results. In the ultrasound-guided group, the preoperative diagnostic sensitivity of FNAC using the Bethesda classification alone was very high and additional BRAF V600E-mutation analysis added little to the preoperative diagnostic sensitivity. By contrast, in the palpation-guided group, by adding BRAF V600E-mutation analysis, eight instead of four patients were diagnosed of having PTC. This increase in the diagnostic sensitivity was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The costs per sample were as low as 62 USD (PCR/Qiaxcel and ddPCR) and 35 USD (PCR/Qiaxcel only). Ultrasound-guided FNAC should be aimed for when dealing with thyroid nodules. However, if palpation-guided FNAC cannot be avoided or may be required due to resource utilization, adding BRAF V600E-mutation analysis using the methods described in this study might significantly increase the proportion of preoperatively diagnosed PTCs. The additional costs can be considered very reasonable.
|
|
| 2. |
- Rossitti, Hugo, et al.
(författare)
-
Activation of RAS Signalling is Associated with Altered Cell Adhesion in Phaeochromocytoma
- 2020
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Molecular Sciences. - : MDPI. - 1661-6596 .- 1422-0067. ; 21:21
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Phaeochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) are neuroendocrine catecholamine-producing tumours that may progress into inoperable metastatic disease. Treatment options for metastatic disease are limited, indicating a need for functional studies to identify pharmacologically targetable pathophysiological mechanisms, which require biologically relevant experimental models. Recently, a human progenitor phaeochromocytoma cell line named "hPheo1" was established, but its genotype has not been characterised. Performing exome sequencing analysis, we identified a KIF1B T827I mutation, and the oncogenic NRAS Q61K mutation. While KIF1B mutations are recurring somatic events in PPGLs, NRAS mutations have hitherto not been detected in PPGLs. Therefore, we aimed to assess its implications for the hPheo1 cell line, and possible relevance for the pathophysiology of PPGLs. We found that transient downregulation of NRAS in hPheo1 led to elevated expression of genes associated with cell adhesion, and enhanced adhesion to hPheo1 cells extracellular matrix. Analyses of previously published mRNA data from two independent PPGL patient cohorts (212 tissue samples) revealed a subcluster of PPGLs featuring hyperactivated RAS pathway-signalling and under-expression of cell adhesion-related gene expression programs. Thus, we conclude that NRAS activity in hPheo1 decreases adhesion to their own extracellular matrix and mirrors a transcriptomic RAS-signalling-related phenomenon in PPGLs.
|
|
| 3. |
- Rossitti, Hugo, et al.
(författare)
-
Extent of surgery for phaeochromocytomas in the genomic era
- 2018
-
Ingår i: British Journal of Surgery. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0007-1323 .- 1365-2168. ; 105:2, s. E84-E98
-
Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundGermline mutations are present in 20–30 per cent of patients with phaeochromocytoma. For patients who develop bilateral disease, complete removal of both adrenal glands (total adrenalectomy) will result in lifelong adrenal insufficiency with an increased risk of death from adrenal crisis. Unilateral/bilateral adrenal‐sparing surgery (subtotal adrenalectomy) offers preservation of cortical function and independence from steroids, but leaves the adrenal medulla in situ and thus at risk of developing new and possibly malignant disease. Here, present knowledge about how tumour genotype relates to clinical behaviour is reviewed, and application of this knowledge when choosing the extent of adrenalectomy is discussed.MethodsA literature review was undertaken of the penetrance of the different genotypes in phaeochromocytomas, the frequency of bilateral disease and malignancy, and the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, with emphasis on explaining the clinical phenotypes of phaeochromocytomas and their associated syndromes.ResultsPatients with bilateral phaeochromocytomas most often have multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) or von Hippel–Lindau disease (VHL) with high‐penetrance mutations for benign disease, whereas patients with mutations in the genes encoding SDHB (succinate dehydrogenase subunit B) or MAX (myelocytomatosis viral proto‐oncogene homologue‐associated factor X) are at increased risk of malignancy.ConclusionAdrenal‐sparing surgery should be the standard approach for patients who have already been diagnosed with MEN2 or VHL when operating on the first side, whereas complete removal of the affected adrenal gland(s) is generally recommended for patients with SDHB or MAX germline mutations. Routine assessment of a patient's genotype, even after the first operation, can be crucial for adopting an appropriate strategy for follow‐up and future surgery.
|
|
