Some of the genetic alterations described in thyroid cancer, such as
RET/PTC rearrangements, RAS point mutations and PAX8/PPARγ rearrangements,
have also been found in benign lesions. The only exception is the point mutation V600E
of BRAF oncogene, which is specific for the malignant histology. For this reason,
researchers are seeking new markers expressed only by cancer tissues. Among these,
telomerase activity and expression, together with miRNAs expression, have been
proposed to be able to distinguish benign from malignant lesions both in tissues and
FNAC samples with high specificity.
Keywords: miRNA, molecular diagnosis, telomerase, telomere.
