Analysis of BRAF and TERT Expressions in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Cases Based on ATA Risk Stratification

Abstract

Background
Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common malignancy in thyroid, accounting for more than 80% of all thyroid cancer.
Rrecurrences of the disease reach 30% cases. It has been widely observed that BRAF and TERT is associated with aggressiveness
behaviors in human cancer. Both are involved in the pathogenesis of PTC that may be used as targets for new therapies. American
Thyroid Association (ATA) risk stratification can define the risk of recurrence in PTC. No marker has been found to determine the
risk of PTC recurrence. The purpose of this study is to analyzed BRAF and TERT expression in ATA risk stratification system in
PTC classic variant samples.
Methods
The methods of this study is an analytical observational study with cross sectional approach, conducted on 56 samples of PTC
classic variant selected from Department of Anatomical Pathology Dr. Soetomo General Hospital between January 2015-December
2017 by determined criteria in ATA risk stratification groups of low risk, intermediate risk and high risk. The expression BRAF and
TERT observed using immunohistochemical staining of Santa Cruz monoclonal antibody.
Results
The result for each group based on ATA risk stratification groups of low risk were 13 samples (23.20%), intermediate risk were 25
samples (44.62%) and high risk were 18 samples (32.12%).
The correlation was assessed with Spearman’s rho correlation test. There is significant correlation BRAF (p=0.004) with a value of
r=0.374 and TERT(p=0.032) with a value of r=0.287 for ATA risk stratification.
Conclusion
BRAF and TERT expression showed significant correlation to ATA risk stratification in classic variant PTC.