Molecular markers that can predict highly malignant papillary thyroid cancer

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K09913
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 56050:Otorhinolaryngology-related
• Research Institution: Nagasaki University
• Principal Investigator: Matsuse Michiko 長崎大学, 原爆後障害医療研究所, 助教 (30533905)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 甲状腺癌 / TERT

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The incidence of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) has been increasing worldwide. Although most PTCs have a favorable prognosis, small but certain fraction show aggressive behavior. Therefore, a novel and well-performing molecular marker is needed.
In the present study, we developed a highly sensitive detection method for TERT promoter (TERT-p) mutations. Using our method, we could detect TERT-p mutations even from a small amount of DNA samples and showed that the detection of this mutations using preoperative samples could be clinically useful. We also found that TERT-p mutations and TERT mRNA expression can be useful prognostic markers in elderly and young PTC patients, respectively.

Free Research Field

内分泌学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

TERTは甲状腺癌のみならず膀胱癌、肝癌、黒色腫、脳腫瘍をはじめ様々な癌で悪性度と関連しているとされ、本研究によって得られた知見は、他癌種にも応用可能である。また、術前細胞診検体で悪性度を予測できる分子マーカーを確立することによって、最適な治療方針選択を可能とし、患者QOLの向上、医療経済にも貢献できる。近年、スプライシングを制御する薬剤が同定されてきているが、本研究の成果によってこの種の薬剤が抗がん剤として開発が進む可能性もある。