Role of genes regulating cell proliferation in the metastasis of cervical lymph nodes of microcarcinomas and papillary thyroid carcinomas

• Grant number: 20/14870-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2021
• End date: November 30, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Human and Medical Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Renata de Azevedo Canevari
• Grantee: João Vitor Alcântara da Costa
• Host Institution: Instituto de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento (IP&D). Universidade do Vale do Paraíba (UNIVAP). São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Thyroid cancer is the neoplasm characterized as the most common to affect the endocrine system and the one that has grown the most in recent decades. Papillary thyroid carcinoma (CPT), and papillary thyroid microcarcinomas (MCPT) are the most prevalent and despite the good prognosis, in some cases, they can be aggressive and can cause lymph node involvement and distant metastases. The diagnosis of these tumors is performed through physical evaluation of the patient, ultrasound, and fine-needle aspiration (FNAB), the latter being considered the gold standard technique. However, many analyzes by FNAB have inconclusive diagnoses, causing patients to undergo tumor resection surgery unnecessarily. The analysis of predictive molecular markers by detecting changes in gene expression in the primary tumor can be an important tool used in clinical routine, as it may indicate the greater probability of the appearance of metastases in the cervical lymph nodes. The PHB, BAD, and PAXIP1 genes, involved in several mechanisms at the cellular level, such as regulation of cell proliferation, have been described in the process of metastasis of several human tumors. This study aims to analyze the expression of these genes by the quantitative PCR technique in real-time (RT-qPCR) in primary CPT tumors and in MCPT with and without lymph node involvement to assess whether they are related to the development of these carcinomas and whether be considered predictive molecular markers. It is hoped that the result obtained will assist in understanding the genetic profile in the development of TLC and lymph node metastasis and consequently in the prognosis of these tumors. (AU)