MMP-26 as a Complementary Diagnostic Biomarker in Nodular Thyroid Lesions

Thyroid cancer (TC) is the seventh most common cancer and the twenty-fourth most deadly, according to GLOBOCAN estimates for 2022. The diagnosis of TC is confirmed by histopathological analysis after surgical biopsy, in addition to previous ultrasound and cytopathological evaluations. Despite this, TC still lacks a definitive molecular classification, capable of not only identifying tumors in terms of their cellular origin, but also distinguishing them in terms of aggressiveness, benign or malignant nature and prognosis. This study investigated the potential of matrix metalloproteinase 26 (MMP-26) as a complementary biomarker for the diagnosis of nodular thyroid lesions. Fifty histological blocks, including healthy thyroid tissue, nodular goiter and papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), were analyzed using immunohistochemistry. The results showed significant differences in MMP-26 immunoreactivity between healthy thyroid tissue, nodular goiter and PTC, as shown by Spearman's analysis (p<0,001), Chi-square (p<0,001) and logistic regression (p<0,001). However, there were no significant differences between MMP-26 immunoreactivity and clinical-pathological data. MMP-26 showed good sensitivity (93,3% and 100%) and negative predictive values (90,91% and 100%) but low specificity (28,57% and 40%) for identifying nodular goiter and PTC, respectively. It is concluded that MMP-26 is a promising complementary biomarker for the diagnosis of thyroid tumors, highlighting its participation in the pathogenesis of lesions. However, more research is needed to determine its real impact as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker.

Keywords:
Matrix Metalloproteinase; Tumor Biomarkers; Thyroid Gland Neoplasms; Immunohistochemistry.

There was a significant expression of MMP-26 in nodular goiter and papillary thyroid carcinoma.

MMP-26 showed good sensitivity for identifying nodular goiter and papillary thyroid carcinoma.

The results suggest the involvement of MMP-26 in the pathogenesis of thyroid tumors.

MMP-26 is a promising complementary biomarker for the diagnosis of nodular thyroid lesions.