Measurement of the expression of oncofetal fibronectin mRNA in thyroid carcinomas by competitive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction

Abundant expression of oncofetal fibronectin mRNA has been observed in thyr oid papillary and anaplastic carcinomas. In this study, we measured relativ e expression levels of oncofetal fibronectin mRNA in thyroid cancer tissues by competitive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) us ing thyroglobulin mRNA as an internal control. By this method, all papillar y and anaplastic carcinomas and 3 of 6 follicular carcinomas were distingui shed from benign tissues, such as normal thyroid tissues, follicular adenom as, and adenomatous goiters. Furthermore, 2 anaplastic carcinomas were clea rly distinguished from differentiated carcinomas. These results suggest the possibility of establishing a more accurate preoperative or postoperative diagnosis of papillary and anaplastic carcinomas by measuring the relative expression level of oncofetal fibronectin to thyroglobulin in thyroid tumor s.