Correlation research on miR-221/222 expression and the pathological features of thyroid carcinomas

Abstract

Objective To explore the correlation between miR-221/222 expression and the pathological features of thyroid carcinomas. Methods A total of thyroid tissue specimens was collected in thyroid surgery from Mar 2013 to Feb 2014. The expression levels of miR-221/222 were tested with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The expression levels of miR-221/222 were analyzed in different thyroid carcinoma tissues. Results The expression levels of miR-221/222 were significantly over-expressed in thyroid carcinoma tissues compared to non-thyroid carcinoma tissues (F=9.358, P=0.0014). No significant difference was found among different groups of non-thyroid carcinoma tissues (F=1.367, P=0.839). The expression levels of miR-221/222 were significantly different in thyroid carcinoma specimens with different pathological features (P<0.05). Conclusions The expression levels of miR-221/222 were significantly over-expressed in thyroid carcinoma tissues. Both expression levels of miR-221/222 were associated with extrathyroidal invasion, regional lymph nodes, and tumor staging. The expression levels of miR-221/222 might guide diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of thyroid carcinomas. Key words: Thyroid neoplasms/ME; MicroRNAs/ME