Page 56 - SDIR5 Abstract book 21 12 2021.

POSTER PRESENTATIONS

P16

Differential Expression of VHL mRNA in Parathyroid Carcinoma and Adenoma

1
1
2,3
1
2,3
Lidija Todorović , Vesna Mandušić , Bojana Kožik , Vladan Živaljević , Ivan Paunović , Boban
1
Stanojević
1 “Vinča” Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade,
Serbia
2 Center for Endocrine Surgery, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
3 School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia

Background: Parathyroid cancer (PTC) is an exceedingly rare endocrine malignancy, and the knowledge
about the underlying molecular mechanisms of its pathogenesis is scarce. Being characterized by a
spectrum of clinical phenotypes and histological heterogeneity that make it difficult to preoperatively
distinguish malignant from benign tumors, PTC represents a significant clinical and therapeutic challenge.
Broadening the knowledge of molecular signatures that characterize different parathyroid tumor subtypes
is a key step to identify potential diagnostic biomarkers able to distinguish among different parathyroid
neoplastic types, as well as provide novel therapeutic targets and strategies for these neoplasms. Aberrant
expression of VHL (von Hippel-Lindau) tumor suppressor has been detected in various types of cancer
including thyroid cancers, but no studies so far investigated the biological role or clinical relevance of VHL
in neoplastic parathyroid lesions. In order to shed more light on the potential involvement of VHL in PTC,
we investigated the expression levels of VHL mRNA in parathyroid tumors and their association with clinical
and pathological parameters. Patients and Methods: Quantitative PCR was used to determine the relative
VHL mRNA expression levels in 10 parathyroid carcinoma and 14 parathyroid adenoma. Results: The
expression level of VHL was significantly higher in PTCs compared to parathyroid adenoma (P=0.021, Mann-
Whitney test). However, there was no association with clinico-pathological characteristics such as tumor
size, vascular invasion, invasion of the adjacent tissue and preoperative serum PTH levels.
Conclusion: The results suggest that VHL might be involved in the pathogenesis of PTC but its
role/significance remain to be clarified.
Keywords: Expression, Parathyroid Neoplasms, Von Hippel-Lindau Tumor Suppressor

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