Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Follicular thyroid cancer (FTC) account for approximately 15% of all thyroid malignancies, with about 65 % being conventional and 35 % Huürthle cell type. Recently a PAX8-PPARγ gene fusion was detected in a significant portion of FTCs, some with a chromosomal translocation t(2;3)(q13;p25). The t(2;3) rearrangement leads to an in-frame fusion of the PAX8 gene, which encodes a transcription factor, with the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ gene. They are are able to promote neoplastic cell proliferation and possible hypercoagulability. The number of studies on deep vein thrombosis (DVT) coexist with FTC is limited and medical data are contradictory.

Aim: The aim of the study was to perform genomic analysis of the PAX8-PPARγ rearrangement in patients with metastatic FTC and to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with DVT taking into consideration the status of PAX8-PPARγ. We have also analyzed the association between PAX8-PPARγ rearrangement and its correlation with galectin-3 immunoreactivity.

Material and Methods: The study included 57 patients who underwent a total thyroidectomy for FTC, aged 38-61 years. The PAX8-PPARγ status was detected using Real-time polymerase chain reaction. Diagnosis of the FTC was confirmed with histopathological examination. Diagnostic strategies were evaluated for DVT.

Results and Conclusion: Among 57 patients, only 3 patients (5.3 %) had PAX8-PPARγ rearrangement. The FTCs with PAX8-PPARγ typically showed immunoreactivity for galectin-3 and tended to present at a younger patient age. In our study, we could not confirm the connection between PAX8-PPARγ rearrangement and the occurrence of DVT in patients with metastatic FTC.