Abstract
In recent years, the global incidence of thyroid cancer has been increasing. Despite the significant progress in the diagnostic tools applied for papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) diagnosis, commonly used methods require undergoing invasive diagnostic procedures, such as liquid biopsy, which still, in some cases, remains imprecise. In this case, novel screening and diagnostic biomarkers are still being evaluated using highly specialized techniques, which could increase PTC detection. Currently, a number of genes and proteins associated with PTC development are currently under investigation to assess their clinical utility. Accordingly, a literature search was undertaken to collect novel information about the diagnosis of and prognosis for PTC with a particular emphasis on the role of microRNA (miRNA) evaluation. The early identification of novel biomarkers is essential for facilitating appropriate therapeutic decisions. Moreover, the evaluation of plasma- and serum-derived miRNA measurements could be considered as equivalent thyroid cancer screening tools in the future. On the other hand, the PTC pathogenesis could be evaluated further with the use of miRNA evaluation, which may bring novel insights for potential medical target determination.
Highlights
In recent years, incidences of thyroid cancer have been increasing worldwide [1].Between 1992 and 2017, the incidence of TC in the USA increased from 5.7 to 13.3 cases per 100,000 people [2]
In a meta-analysis of 18 studies concerned on the role of miRNA in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) screening, Silaghi et al showed that miR-146b, miR-221, and miR-222 could be considered as potential screening/prognostic biomarkers of recurrent TC, and are useful when referred to PTC [79]
Conclusions miRNA evaluation is a promising tool in the discovery of novel diagnostic and prognostic PTC biomarkers
Summary
Incidences of thyroid cancer have been increasing worldwide [1]. Between 1992 and 2017, the incidence of TC in the USA increased from 5.7 to 13.3 cases per 100,000 people [2]. There is still a need to find a cost-effective and noninvasive PTC diagnostic method characterized by high sensitivity and specificity, determined using specific novel techniques, such as genetics, and that subsequently reduce the occurrence of unnecessary invasive procedures. In this case, many proteins and genes involved in the etiopathogenesis of PTC are under investigation for their potential diagnostic uses [15]. As it is estimated that up to 50% of PTC surgeries are unnecessary [16], the use of miRNAs may help to increase the sensitivity and specificity of FNAB, simultaneously becoming an equivalent malignant cancer screening tool measurement in the future [15]. The identification of novel PTC biomarkers remains necessary, which would increase the accuracy of both diagnostic procedures and clinical treatment decisions while introducing the assumption of personalized medicine
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