Galectin-3 and HBME-1 Expression on agarose cell blocks from fine-needle aspirates of follicular cell-derived thyroid tumors

E Abu-Sinna, MY Hasan, MM El-Deftar, SA Amer, LO Abdelsalam, JA Nakhla

Journal of Cytology 2018 35(1):27-32

Aim: To test the expression of galectin-3 (gal-3) and Hector Battifora mesothelial antigen-1 (HBME-1) on agarose cell blocks (CBs) of fine-needle aspirates aiming to determine their diagnostic value in thyroid follicle cell-derived tumors. Materials and Methods: Forty patients with thyroid nodule were enrolled. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy was done and processed to produce smears and CBs. Immune staining was done on CBs using antibodies to gal-3 and HBME-1. Diagnostic value of tests was determined in comparison to pathology. Results: Current study included 17 papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), 15 follicular adenoma, and 8 follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC). In PTC diagnosis, co-expression of gal-3/HBME-1 had a sensitivity of 94.1%, specificity of 73.3%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 80%, negative predictive value (NPV) 91.7%, and accuracy of 84.4%. In FTC diagnosis, combined gal-3/HBME-1 expression had a sensitivity of 75%, specificity of 78.6%, PPV of 50%, NPV of 91.7%, and accuracy of 77.8%. Co-expression of gal-3/HBME-1 raised the sensitivity of detection of differentiated thyroid carcinomas from 40% with cytomorphology to 92% and accuracy from 62.5% to 85%. Conclusion: The combined immunocytochemical expression of gal-3 and HBME-1 utilizing fine-needle aspirates can improve the sensitivity of detection and diagnostic accuracy of differentiated follicular cell-derived thyroid carcinomas.

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