The Combined Utility of HBME-1 and Galectin-3 Immunohistochemistry and BRAF V600E Mutations in the Diagnosis of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma.

Subramaniam Ramkumar,Shanthakumari Sivanandham

doi:10.7759/cureus.20339

Abstract

Newer diagnostic modalities have revolutionized the pathologist’s approach to diagnosing thyroid malignancies. Molecular characterization of these malignancies has helped circumvent common morphologic diagnostic difficulties by integrating their genotypic, phenotypic, and immunohistochemical features. BRAF V600E mutation has been characterized as highly specific for thyroid carcinoma, especially papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC); human bone marrow endothelial marker-1 (HBME-1) and galectin-3 are also such markers that are highly specific for PTC. We propose to study HBME-1 and galectin-3 expression and BRAF V600E mutation in thyroid neoplasms and do a comparative analysis to determine whether there is a correlation between BRAF V600E expression and that of HBME-1 and galectin-3. We further propose to analyze the individual and combined diagnosed utility of the above-mentioned ancillary diagnostic techniques.

Highlights

IntroductionThyroid disorders are common in India and are on the rise
We propose to study human bone marrow endothelial marker-1 (HBME-1) and galectin-3 expression and BRAF V600E mutation in thyroid neoplasms and do a comparative analysis to determine whether there is a correlation between BRAF V600E expression and that of HBME-1 and galectin-3
HBME-1 and galectin-3 are expressed in most cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) irrespective of mutational status and there is a direct correlation between BRAF V600E mutation and HBME-1, galectin-3 expression

Summary

Introduction

Thyroid disorders are common in India and are on the rise. From various studies done in the past, it has been calculated that about 42 million Indians suffer from thyroid disorders [1]. The nationwide relative frequency of thyroid cancer among all the cancer cases was 0.1-0.2%. The age-adjusted incidence rates of carcinoma of the thyroid per 100,000 population are about 1 for males and 1.8 for females according to the Mumbai Cancer Registry. This covered a population of 9.81 million subjects [1]

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