Clinical utility of a microRNA classifier in cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules with RAS mutations: A multi-institutional study

Abstract

BackgroundMolecular testing guides the management of cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules. We evaluated the real-world clinical benefit of a commercially available thyroid mutation panel plus microRNA risk classifier in classifying RAS-mutated nodules. MethodsWe performed a subgroup analysis of the results of molecular testing of Bethesda III/IV nodules using the ThyGenX/ThyGeNEXT–ThyraMIR platform at 3 tertiary-care centers between 2017 and 2021, defining a positive result as 10% or greater risk of malignancy. ResultsWe identified 387 nodules from 375 patients (70.7% female, median age 59.3 years) who underwent testing. Positive nodules (32.3%) were associated with increased surgical intervention (74.4% vs 14.9%, P < .0001) and carcinoma on surgical pathology (46.4% vs 3.4%, P < .0001) compared to negative modules. RAS mutations were the most common mutations, identified in 71 of 380 (18.7%) nodules, and were classified as ThyraMIR– (28 of 71; 39.4%) or ThyraMIR+ (43 of 71; 60.6%). Among RAS-mutated nodules, there was no significant difference in operative rate (P = .2212) or carcinoma diagnosis (P = .6277) between the ThyraMIR+ and ThyraMIR– groups, and the sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value of ThyraMIR were 64.7%, 34.8%, 40.0%, and 59.5%, respectively. ConclusionAlthough testing positive is associated with malignancy in surgical pathology, the ThyraMIR classifier failed to differentiate between benign and malignant RAS-mutated nodules. Diagnostic lobectomy should be considered for RAS-mutated nodules, regardless of microRNA expression status.