Increased Expression of Focal Adhesion Kinase in Thyroid Cancer: Immunohistochemical Study.
10.3346/jkms.2004.19.5.710
- Author:
Sang Jin KIM
1
;
Jin Woo PARK
;
Ji Sung YOON
;
Ji O MOK
;
Yeo Joo KIM
;
Hyeong Kyu PARK
;
Chul Hee KIM
;
Dong Won BYUN
;
Yong Jin LEE
;
So Young JIN
;
Kyo Il SUH
;
Myung Hi YOO
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Chunan, Korea. ksj1113@schch.co.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords:
Focal Adhesion Kinase;
Protein-Tyrosine Kinase;
Thyroid Nodule;
Thyroid Neoplasms;
Immunohistochemistry;
Focal Adhesions
- MeSH:
Adenoma/*metabolism/pathology;
Adult;
Aged;
Carcinoma, Papillary/*metabolism/pathology;
Female;
Humans;
Immunohistochemistry;
Male;
Middle Aged;
Protein-Tyrosine Kinase/*metabolism;
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't;
Thyroid Neoplasms/*metabolism/pathology;
Tumor Markers, Biological/*metabolism
- From:Journal of Korean Medical Science
2004;19(5):710-715
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a tyrosine kinase that is found in cellular structures called focal adhesions. FAK appears to be a key element in signal transduction pathways involved in cell adhesion and locomotion. FAK is overexpressed in various tumors, including tumors derived from regions of the head and neck, colon, breast, prostate, and liver. In this study, we investigated immunohistochemically whether FAK expression was increased in thyroid cancers. FAK staining was not seen in any of the 20 normal thyroid tissues or the 6 nodular hyperplasia specimens. In contrast, FAK staining was observed in all of 17 papillary carcinomas, 9 follicular carcinomas, 8 medullary carcinomas, and 2 anaplastic carcinomas. Nine of 17 follicular adenomas showed FAK immunoreactivity. FAK was not expressed in normal tissue and nodular hyperplasia, but was expressed in some of the follicular adenoma, and all of the follicular, papillary, medullary and anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. This result indicates that the up-regulation of FAK may play a role in the development of thyroid carcinogenesis.
