microRNA in Thyroid Cancer

The Use of a microRNA Panel to Identify Thyroid Malignancy in FNA Leftover Cells and the Effect of These microRNAs on Target Genes.

Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy and its incidence is rapidly increasing. Palpable thyroid nodules are very common, affecting up to 5% of the general population. Nevertheless, only 5% of the thyroid nodules harbor malignancy, hence the obvious need to accurately characterise these nodules. Ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is the most important tool in assessing the nature of thyroid nodules, however, in up to 30% of the biopsies the results are indeterminate. In this proposal, the investigators hypothesize that leftover cells in the FNAB needle may be utilized for molecular analysis with an established microRNA panel and distinguish between malignant and benign lesions. Despite established studies on the diagnostic utility of microRNAs in thyroid nodules, the effect of microRNAs on specific target genes involved in thyroid cancer is poorly studied. In this proposal the investigators hypothesize that the microRNAs identified in our panel will affect intracellular pathways by regulating target genes that are involved in thyroid tumorigenesis. The investigators present preliminary data that confirms that microRNA panel may identify malignancy in thyroid nodules. In aim 1 the investigators will identify the expression profile of miRNAs in the different thyroid cancers. the investigators will statistically quantify the threshold of miRNA dysregulation for malignancy on a large number of tumor and benign samples. This will serve as matrix for defining malignancy on the FNAB samples. In aim 2 the investigators will establish a reliable reproducible method to extract RNA from cells left over in FNAB samples. the investigators' preliminary data support the feasibility of the method and it has not been described previously. This will be the first study that will compare cytology results and microRNA panel analysis on the very same FNAB cells. It will mimic the exact clinical scenario that such microRNA panel can be utilized in the future. Finally, in aim 3 the investigators will characterize the effect of microRNAs on target genes expression. the investigators will identify possible target genes from bioinformatics databases and will perform quantitative measurement of mRNA level of target gene by real time PCR and immunohistochemistry. These studies will hopefully support the utility of microRNAs as a diagnostic tool to accurately identify malignancy in thyroid FNAB leftover cells and point out possible target genes for future therapeutic approaches. This could impact many patients, as thyroid cancer is the 5th most common cancer in women, and the most rapidly growing malignancy in both men and women.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Thyroid Cancer; Thyroid Nodule; FNA; microRNA
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Fine needle aspiration

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 77

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Israel
  • Jerusalem, Israel
    • Hadassah Medical Organization

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 75 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients undergoing FNA

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients undergoing thyroid nodule biopsy; patients signing informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients that cannot sign an informed consent form.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Cohort
• Time Perspectives: Prospective

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Thyroid nodule; Patients with thyroid nodules undergoing FNA.	Other: Fine needle aspiration

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
microRNA expression in thyroid cancer	24 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Hadassah Medical Organization

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): September 12, 2013
• Primary Completion (Actual): December 30, 2015
• Study Completion (Actual): December 30, 2015

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: October 14, 2013
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 14, 2013
• First Posted (Estimate): October 17, 2013

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 31, 2022
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 15, 2022
• Last Verified: October 1, 2013

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Neoplasms; Neoplasms by Site; Endocrine System Diseases; Endocrine Gland Neoplasms; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Thyroid Diseases; Thyroid Neoplasms; Thyroid Nodule
• Other Study ID Numbers: HM0003-HMO-CTIL