Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2, but not caspase-3, facilitates distinction between benign and malignant thyroid follicular neoplasms.

PURPOSE Definite diagnosis of follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) is based on the presence of capsular or vascular invasion. To date, no reliable and practical method has been introduced to discriminate this malignant neoplasm from follicular thyroid adenoma (FTA) in fine needle aspiration biopsy material. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), by degrading extracellular matrix, and caspase-3, by induction of apoptosis, have been shown to play important roles in carcinogenesis and aggressive behavior in many tumor types. The aim of this study was to examine expression of MMP-2 and caspase-3 in thyroid follicular neoplasms and to determine their usefulness for differential diagnosis. METHOD Sixty FTAs and 41 FTCs were analysed immunohistochemically for MMP-2 and caspase-3. RESULT MMP-2 was positive in 4 FTCs (9.8%), but in none of FTAs, with statistical significance (p=0.025). Caspase-3 was positive in 30 (50%) of FTAs and in 27 (65.9%) of FTCs. CONCLUSION Our results show MMP-2 expression only in FTCs and suggest that this protein may be a useful marker to confirm diagnosis of FTC versus FTA with 100% specificity and 100% predictive value of a positive test. We failed to show any differential diagnostic value for caspase-3 in thyroid follicular neoplasms.