Can miRNA 146B-5P, 25-3P, 221, 222 be a biomarker for differential thyroid cancer?

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate whether miRNA 146b-5p, 25-3p, 221, 222 biomarkers in differentiated thyroid cancers are safe markers that can be used instead of thyroglobulin in follow-up. Materials And Methods: The study included 53 cases who applied to Adnan Menderes University Medical Faculty Training and Research Hospital, Ear Nose Throat and General Surgery clinic between November 2020 and June 2022. TSH, T4, and thyroglobulin biochemical tests were requested from all subjects included in the study. For the examination of miRNA biomarkers, blood samples were taken into a hemogram tube to be stored at -85 degrees. The same procedures were repeated 30 days after the operation in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer and multinodular goiter. Differences between groups were evaluated statistically. Results: Of the 30 patients diagnosed with DTC included in our study, 22 were female (73.3%), 8 were male (26.7%); Of 12 patients diagnosed with MNG, 10 were female (83.3%), 2 were male (16.7%); It was observed that 14 of the 31 control group cases were female (45.2%) and 17 were male (54.8%). The preop miRNA146-5p values of the control group cases were found to be significantly lower than the miRNA 146-5p values of the papillary and MNG groups. Preoperative miRNA 146-5p was found to be statistically significantly higher in the DTC group when compared to the MNG group (p=0.007). When the ROC analysis results of the preop miRNA measurement results for the power of DTC diagnosis according to the diagnosis of MNG are examined; It was observed that preop miRNA146-5p predicted DTC more successfully than thyroglobulin compared to MNG. It was observed that preop miRNA 25 3p was significantly overexpressed in DTC patients with cervical lymph node metastasis. Conclusion: No significant difference was found in terms of ATA risk classification, stage and miRNA 145-5p,25-3p,221/222 expression levels in the DTC group receiving RAI treatment. It was observed that only preoperative miRNA146-5p was statistically significant in differentiating DTC patients from MNG patients. In the ROC analysis performed at the same time, it was observed that miRNA 146-5p was able to distinguish DTC and MNG patients more successfully than thyroglobulin. We suggest that miRNA 146-5p can be used to differentiate DTC by studying preoperative patient sera. miRNA 25-3p expression was found to be statistically significant in patients with cervical lymph node metastases in the DTC group. We think that the prognostic values of miRNAs are not sufficient, since there is no correlation between miRNA expressions and ATA risk classification, receiving RAI treatment, and stage. Although there are numerous studies on the expression profile, the precise roles of most miRNAs in DTC are unknown and further research is therefore needed. Keywords: Papillary thyroid cancer, miRNA 146b-5p, 25-3p, 221, 222