MAGE-1, GAGE-1/-2 gene expression in FNAB of classic variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma and papillary hyperplasia in nodular goiter

Differentiation of the papillary variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PT C) from papillary hyperplasia in nodular goiter may be difficult in fine-ne edle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) by means of morphology alone. To improve cyto diagnostic accuracy the occurrence of MAGE-1, GAGE-1/-2 gene expression was analyzed by means of RT-PCR. The genes investigated are recognized by auto logous T lymphocytes and are expressed in carcinomas of various sites e.g. lung, ovary, colon but not in non-neoplastic tissue except testis. Routinel y obtained smears with cytologic diagnosis of PTC confirmed by histology (n =20) and diagnosis of nodular goiter (n=10) were investigated. The MAGE-1, GAGE-1/-2 PCR products were found in 6/20 of the carcinomas but in none of the benign lesions. To identify PCR products automatic gene-sequencing in a ll positive cases was performed. The data indicate that MAGE-1, GAGE-1/-2 g ene expression may give additional information to delineate PTC from papill ary hyperplasia in FNAB.