The Significance of RAS-Like Mutations and MicroRNA Profiling in Predicting Malignancy in Thyroid Biopsy Specimens

This study aims to retrospectively evaluate institutional experience of Interpace (ThyGeNEXT® and ThyraMIR®; Pittsburgh, PA) testing and to determine the rate of malignancy in resected nodules, stratified by mutational analysis and microRNA profile. Of 1917 fine need aspirations, 140 (7.3%) underwent Interpace testing: 47 (33.6%) were molecular-not-benign (harbored mutation, fusion, and/or positive miRNA) and 93 (66.4%) were molecular-benign (no mutations or fusions and negative microRNA). Surgery was spared in 79.6% of molecular-benign and 61.4% of all tested patients. Fifty-four (38.6%) underwent resection. Seventeen (89.5%) of the resected molecular-benign were benign and 2 were malignant. Thirteen (37.1%) of the resected molecular-not-benign were benign, 7 (20%) were noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP), and 15 (42.9%) were malignant (p <  0.05, negative predictive value (NPV) 89.4–95.6%, positive predictive value (PPV) 22.3–42.8%). Most molecular-not-benign (72.3%) hadRAS-like mutation. Twenty-three were resected: 3 were malignant and 7 were NIFTP. Nodules with non-RAS-like mutations (BRAF V600E-like, others) were more likely to be malignant thanRAS-like (H/N/KRAS,BRAF K601E) (p <  0.05, NPV 86.9–96.5%, PPV 100%). Most nodules hadRAS-like mutations and most were benign or low-risk neoplasms (NIFTP). This study supports the role of histologic examination in the distinction of malignancy inRAS-like thyro...
Source: Endocrine Pathology - Category: Pathology Source Type: research