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Relationship between circulating anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) and tumor metabolism in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC): prognostic implications

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Abstract

Purpose

TgAb have been proposed as tumor markers in DTC. Recent evidence links TgAb levels with DTC aggressiveness. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between TgAb and tumor glucose metabolism in DTC patients.

Methods

Seventy-one DTC patients who underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT were included. According to TgAb value and trends, patients were divided into TgAb positive (TgAb+) or negative (TgAb−) as well as in patients with increasing (Inc-TgAb) or decreasing (Dec-TgAb) trend. On the basis of the results of FDG-PET, post-therapy 131I and Tg levels, patients were divided into two groups according to the evidence (ED) or absence (NED) of disease. ED patients were further divided into three subgroups: 1. radioiodine avid with positive 18F-FDG PET/CT (PET+/131I+), 2. radioiodine refractory with positive 18F-FDG PET/CT (PET+/131I−) and 3. radioiodine avid with negative 18F-FDG PET/CT (PET−/131I+). MeanSUV of FDG-avid lesions was assessed and averaged for each patient (SUVmean-pt). T test was performed to assess the difference between SUVmean in TgAb−, TgAb+ and in Inc-TgAb and Dec-TgAb subgroups. Difference in TgAb between ED and NED patients as well as between ED patients and PET+/131I+, PET+/131I− and PET−/131I+ subgroups was compared.

Results

SUVmean was significantly higher in Inc-TgAb with respect to Dec-TgAb subgroup (5.2 ± 1.5 vs. 2.9 ± 1.1, p < 0.05). TgAb were higher only in the ED PET+/131I+ subgroup with respect to NED patients (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

The relationship between higher tumor metabolism and trend of TgAb supports a prognostic relevance of TgAb in DTC patients. Significantly higher TgAb in radioiodine avid tumors with positive 18F-FDG PET/CT further testify the role of TgAb as surrogate tumor marker in DTC.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nuclear Medicine UnitIRCCS AOU San Martino - IST, University of Genoa, Largo R. Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy

    S. Morbelli, G. Ferrarazzo, E. Pomposelli, I. Calamia, F. Fiz, M. Bauckneht & G. Sambuceti

  2. Autoimmunity UnitIRCCS AOU San Martino - IST, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy

    F. Pupo, G. Pesce, A. Clapasson & M. Bagnasco

  3. U.O. Chirurgia 1, Department of Surgery, IRCCS AOU San Martino - IST, Genoa, Italy

    M. Minuto

  4. Department of Surgical Sciences (DISC), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy

    M. Minuto

  5. Endocrinology UnitIRCCS AOU San Martino - IST, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy

    M. Giusti

  6. Thyroid Cancer Board, IRCCS AOU San Martino - IST, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy

    S. Morbelli, E. Pomposelli, M. Minuto, M. Giusti & M. Bagnasco

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  1. S. Morbelli
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Correspondence to S. Morbelli.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Morbelli, S., Ferrarazzo, G., Pomposelli, E. et al. Relationship between circulating anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) and tumor metabolism in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC): prognostic implications. J Endocrinol Invest 40, 417–424 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-016-0578-6

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