H.pylori-L型感染及OPN表达与胃癌浸润转移的相关性研究

目的通过检测胃癌中幽门螺杆菌L型（Helicobacter pylori L-form,H.pylori-L型）感染以及骨桥蛋白（osteopontin,OPN）的表达情况,探讨H.pylori-L型在胃癌侵袭、转移中的作用。方法将胃癌BGC-823细胞与H.pylori-L型按不同比例共培养,细胞爬片进行免疫组化（SP法）检测BGC-823细胞OPN的表达情况。革兰染色及免疫组化检测120例胃癌组织中H.pylori-L型的感染情况。免疫组化检测胃癌组织中的OPN的表达。结果 （1）随着细菌比例增大,细胞爬片OPN阳性的胃癌BGC-823细胞数逐渐增加,各组之间差异有统计学意义（F=137.5,P〈0.01）。（2）胃癌组织H.pylori-L型阳性组的OPN表达阳性率为70.73%,显著高于H.pylori-L型阴性组OPN表达阳性率42.1%（P〈0.005）。胃癌中H.pylori-L型阳性率与肿瘤的大小、癌细胞的血管侵袭、浸润深度及淋巴结转移具有相关性（P〈0.001～P〈0.05）。（3）胃癌组织中H.pylori-L型阳性率与OPN的阳性表达呈正相关性（r=0.27,P〈0.001）。结论 H.pylori-L型感染增强了胃癌细胞的侵袭和转移能力,其机制可能与胃癌细胞的OPN表达量增加有关。     

EZH2在胃癌组织中的表达及与Hp-L型感染关系的探讨

目的探讨EZH2在胃癌组织中表达的意义及与幽门螺杆菌L型(Helicobacter pylori-L,Hp-L)感染的关系。方法 (1)应用免疫组织化学Elivision法和革兰染色法检测80例胃癌组织及30例癌旁组织(对照组)中EZH2蛋白的表达和Hp-L型的感染情况;(2)采用逆转录多聚酶链反应(RT-PCR)技术检测30例新鲜胃癌组织及对应切缘正常胃黏膜组织(对照组)中EZH2的mRNA表达。结果胃癌组EZH2蛋白表达的阳性率高于对照组(P<0.05),且EZH2表达水平升高与肿瘤大小、浸润深度、淋巴结转移和TNM分期有关(P<0.05),与性别、年龄无关(P>0.05);RT-PCR显示,肿瘤组织、远端正常对照组织的EZH2表达量差异明显(P<0.01)。胃癌组Hp-L型检出率78.8%(63/80)与对照组23.3%(7/30)有显著性差异(P<0.05),与免疫组化Hp-L型抗原表达率73.8%(59/80)无显著性差异(P>0.05),Hp-L检出阳性率为71.3%(57/80);癌组中Hp-L型感染阳性组的EZH2表达阳性率高于Hp-L型阴性组(P<0.05),且Hp-L型阳性率和EZH2蛋白的表达呈正相关(r=0.250,P<0.05)。结论 EZH2蛋白和mRNA在胃癌中的表达增加,且与胃癌的浸润、转移相关,其机制可能与幽门螺杆菌L型(Hp-L型)感染有关。     

MDM2在胃癌组织中的表达及与Hp-L型感染关系的研究

目的研究MDM2在胃癌组织中的表达意义及其与幽门螺杆菌L型(Helicobacter pylori-L,Hp-L)感染在胃癌发生中的关系。方法 (1)应用革兰染色法和免疫组化学法检测100例胃癌及对应的40例癌旁正常胃黏膜组织(对照组)中Hp-L型感染和MDM2蛋白的表达情况;(2)应用逆转录多聚酶链反应(RT-PCR)方法检测MDM2的mRNA在30例新鲜胃癌组织及其对应的癌旁正常胃粘膜组织(对照组)中的表达情况。结果 100例胃癌组织及对应的40例癌旁正常胃粘膜组织中MDM2阳性表达率为71.0%(71/100)和42.5%(17/40),可见MDM2在胃癌组织中高表达和在非胃癌组中低表达具有统计学意义(P0.05),且MDM2表达水平升高与肿瘤大小、浸润深度、淋巴结转移和TNM分期有关(P0.05),与性别、年龄无关(P0.05);RT-PCR显示,肿瘤组织MDM2的表达明显高于远端正常胃黏膜对照组织的表达量且差异明显(P0.01)。革兰染色和免疫组化两种方法检测Hp-L型结果具有一致性(P0.05),胃癌组织中Hp-L型感染阳性组的MDM2表达阳性率高于Hp-L型阴性组(P0.05),且Hp-L型阳性率和MDM2蛋白表达呈正相关(r=0.447,P0.05)。结论 MDM2蛋白在胃癌中呈高表达,且与胃癌的浸润、转移有关,其机制可能与Hp-L型感染有关。     

LMP-1在胃癌和相应癌旁组织中的表达

目的探讨Epstein-Barr virus(EBV)感染与胃癌发生发展的关系。方法应用免疫组化SP法检测EB病毒潜伏感染膜蛋白-1(LMP-1)在97例胃癌组织及89例相应癌旁组织中表达。结果97例胃癌组织中30例LMP-1蛋白表达阳性,阳性率为30.9%,EBV阳性率与患者性别、浸润深度、淋巴结转移、组织学分型和临床分期之间无明显关系(P>0.05);89例相应癌旁组织中33例检测到EBV LMP-1的表达,胃癌组织及相应癌旁组织EBV阳性表达之间有显著相关性(P=0.000)。结论EBV感染与胃癌的发生有一定的相关性。     

胃癌组织中幽门螺杆菌L型感染与淋巴管形成关系的研究

目的 研究胃癌组织中D2-40、LYVE-1标记的微淋巴管密度(LVD)、血管内皮生长因子受体(VEGFR-3)表达与幽门螺杆菌L型(helicobacter pylori L-form,Hp-L型)感染之间的关系.方法 应用革兰染色和免疫组化SP法检测80例胃癌组织和25例对照组的Hp-L型感染,同时用免疫组化SP法检测上述组织的LVD值和VEGFR-3的表达,分析Hp-L型与LVD以及VEGFR-3表达的关系结果 胃癌组织中革兰染色L型检出阳性率为67.5％;免疫组化Hp-L型抗原表达阳性率为65％,两种方法检测同时阳性的病例50例,占62.5％.胃癌组的Hp-L型阳性率、LVD及VEGFR-3表达阳性率均高于对照组(P＜0.01);胃癌组中Hp-L阳性组的LVD值和VEGFR-3表达阳性率高于Hp-L阴性组.LVD与胃癌淋巴结转移具有一定关系.结论 Hp-L型感染与胃癌的发生、发展密切相关,Hp-L型可能是肿瘤淋巴管生成的重要促进因子,影响胃癌的侵袭和转移.     

胃癌组织中幽门螺杆菌L型感染及骨桥蛋白检测的意义

目的通过检测胃癌组织中幽门螺杆菌L(HP-L)型感染以及OPN的表达情况,探讨Hp-L型感染对胃癌侵袭、转移生物学行为的影响及可能机制。方法①应用革兰染色及免疫组化(SP)法检测120例胃癌组织中的Hp-L型感染情况;②应用免疫组化(SP)法检测胃癌组织中的OPN的表达。分析Hp-L型感染与OPN表达的关系以及和临床病理因素之间的关系。结果①120例胃癌组织中有88例革兰染色检出Hp-L型,其阳性率为73.3%(88/120);免疫组化Hp-L型抗原表达阳性率为70.8%(85/120),革兰染色Hp-L型检出和Hp-L型抗原表达同时阳性的病例有82例(两者同时阳性者为Hp-L型阳性),其阳性率为68.3%(82/120)。②胃癌组织中Hp-L型阳性组的OPN表达阳性率分别为70.73%(58/82),高于Hp-L型阴性组表达率,且有统计学意义(P<0.005)。经四格表资料χ2检验,胃癌组中Hp-L型阳性与OPN阳性表达呈正相关(r=0.27,P<0.001)。③胃癌中Hp-L型阳性与肿瘤的大小、癌细胞的血管侵袭、浸润深度及淋巴结转移具有相关性(P<0.001-P<0.05)。结论 Hp-L型感染是引起胃癌...     

TYK2、RASSF1A与乳腺癌临床病理参数及预后相关性

[目的]研究TYK2、RASSF1A的表达与乳腺癌临床病理参数及预后的相关性。[方法]选择乳腺癌患者240例作为研究对象,比较患者的癌症组织与癌旁组织的TYK2、RASSF1A的表达差异,分析TYK2、RASSF1A的表达与乳腺癌临床病理参数及预后的相关性。[结果]癌症组织的TYK2阳性率(54.17%)显著高于癌旁组织(14.58%),癌症组织的RASSF1A的阳性率(15.83%)显著低于对照组(45.00%)(P<0.05);患者的肿瘤直径、TNM分期、淋巴结转移、脉管转移、ER情况、PR情况以及生存情况与患者的TYK2呈现正相关,与RASSF1A呈现负相关。[结论]TYK2的异常表达与乳腺癌临床病理参数及预后呈现正相关,RASSF1A的异常表达与乳腺癌临床病理参数及预后呈现负相关,临床可将TYK2和RASSF1A表达水平作为患者预后评估的重要依据。     

无芽胞厌氧菌、Fas蛋白表达与胃癌相关性的研究

目的探讨无芽胞厌氧菌、Fas蛋白在胃癌及癌旁组织的表达情况及其临床意义。方法无芽胞厌氧菌的检测采用微生物分类鉴定系统中API20A测定方法,Fas蛋白的检测采用免疫组化SP法,分别检测了57例胃癌组织,57例癌旁组织,20例正常胃黏膜组织中微生物的变化及Fas蛋白表达。结果胃癌组织与癌旁组织的无芽胞厌氧菌检出情况不同。胃癌组织检出的主要为革兰阳性无芽胞厌氧菌(优杆菌、丙酸杆菌和消化链球菌等),占检出菌株的6486%(48/74),其中硝酸盐还原试验阳性菌株为5946%(44/74)。癌旁组织检出的主要为革兰阴性无芽胞厌氧菌(类杆菌、梭杆菌、紫单胞菌和韦荣球菌),占检出细菌的5714%(24/42),硝酸盐还原试验阳性菌株为1667%(7/42)。胃癌组织中Fas蛋白表达的阳性率为3509%(20/57),癌旁组织为7018%(40/57),正常胃黏膜为8500%(17/20),胃癌组织与癌旁组织、正常胃黏膜组织Fas蛋白的表达比较,差异均有非常显著性(P<001)。结论胃癌组织与癌旁组织的无芽胞厌氧菌检出情况不同。胃癌组织检出的主要为革兰阳性无芽胞厌氧菌。胃癌组织Fas蛋白水平的表达与癌旁组织、正常胃黏膜组织Fas蛋白的表达比较,差异均有非常显著性(P<001),对阐明胃癌的发生机制、预后和转移均有重要意义。     

Ezrin在胃癌组织中的表达及与Hp-L型感染关系的探讨

目的通过检测胃癌组织中幽门螺杆菌L(Helicobacter pyloriL-form,Hp-L)型感染以及Ezrin的表达情况,探讨Hp-L型、Ezrin在胃癌组织中的表达及临床意义。方法 (1)应用革兰染色法和免疫组织化学Elivision法检测80例胃癌组织和40例对照组织中的Hp-L型感染情况。(2)应用免疫组织化学Elivision法检测上述各组织中Ezrin蛋白的表达。(3)应用逆转录多聚酶链反应(RT-PCR)法检测30例新鲜胃癌组织及与其相对应的30例远端切缘正常组织中Ezrin mRNA的表达。结果 (1)胃癌组中革兰染色L型的检出率为80.00%(64/80)、免疫组化Hp-L型阳性率81.25%(65/80),两种方法检测的结果具有一致性(P0.05)。80例胃癌组织中Hp-L型阳性(即革兰染色L型检出阳性和免疫组化Hp-L型抗原表达同时阳性)的病例数为56例,其阳性率为70.00%;对照组中革兰染色L型检出率为22.50%(9/40),免疫组化Hp-L型阳性率40%(16/40)二者检测结果也具有一致性(P0.05)。40例对照组织中Hp-L型阳性例数为9例,其阳性率为22.50%。胃癌组与对照组的Hp-L型阳性率相比,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);(2)胃癌组Hp-L型感染阳性率仅与胃癌的淋巴结转移有关(P0.05),而与其他临床病理因素无关;(3)RT-PCR法和免疫组织化学Elivision法显示胃癌组中Ezrin mRNA及Ezrin蛋白的表达均高于对照组(P0.05),且经统计学分析发现Ezrin表达水平与胃癌细胞的分化程度、浸润深度及淋巴结转移有关(P0.05),而与临床分期、患者的年龄及性别无关(P0.05);(4)胃癌中Hp-L型阳性组的Ezrin蛋白表达阳性率71.43%(40/56)高于Hp-L阴性组54.17%(13/24)(P0.05),且Hp-L型阳性和Ezrin蛋白阳性呈正相关(r=0.456,P0.05)。结论 Hp-L型感染阳性率和Ezrin表达阳性率在胃癌中均较高,二者可能协同促进胃癌的发生发展及浸润转移。     

FAK在胃癌组织中的表达及与Hp-L型感染的关系

目的探讨局部黏着斑激酶(focal adhesion kinase,FAK)在胃癌组织中的表达意义及与幽门螺杆菌L型(Helicobacter pylori-L,Hp-L)感染的关系。方法 (1)应用免疫组织化学Elivision法检测120例胃癌组织及40例切缘正常胃粘膜组织(对照组)中FAK蛋白的表达情况,采用免疫组织化学和革兰染色法检测Hp-L型的感染情况;(2)采用逆转录多聚酶链反应(RT-PCR)技术检测40例新鲜胃癌组织及对应切缘正常胃黏膜组织(对照组)中FAK的mRNA表达。结果胃癌组FAK蛋白的表达阳性率高于对照组(P0.05),且FAK的高表达与分化程度、浸润深度、淋巴结转移和TNM分期有关(P0.05),与年龄、性别、肿瘤大小无关(P0.05);RT-PCR显示,肿瘤组织、远端正常对照组织的FAK表达量差异明显(P0.01)。胃癌组Hp-L型检出率72.5%(87/120)与对照组37.5%(15/40)有显著性差异(P0.05),与免疫组化Hp-L型抗原表达率65.0%(78/120)无显著性差异(P0.05),Hp-L检出阳性率为69.2%(83/120);胃癌组中Hp-L型感染阳性组的FAK表达阳性率高于Hp-L型阴性组(P0.05),且Hp-L型阳性率和FAK蛋白的表达呈正相关(r=0.291,P0.05)。结论FAK蛋白和mRNA在胃癌中的表达增加,且与胃癌的浸润、转移相关,其机制可能与幽门螺杆菌L型(Hp-L型)感染有关。     

H.pylori-L型对胃癌BGC-823细胞侵袭力影响的研究

目的研究幽门螺杆菌L型(Helicobacter pyloriL-form,H.pylori-L型)感染对胃癌BGC-823细胞侵袭力影响,探讨H.pylori-L型在胃癌发展中的作用和可能机制。方法将胃癌BGC-823细胞与H.pylori-L型按1:50、1:200和1:500的不同比例共培养24 h,进行以下实验:(1)应用具有聚碳酸酯和重建基底膜的Transwell小室细胞侵袭模型,观察与H.pylori-L型作用后胃癌BGC-823细胞的侵袭能力;(2)应用Western-blotting实验测定胃癌BGC-823细胞OPN和MMP2蛋白表达量的变化。结果 (1)Transwell侵袭实验发现随着胃癌BGC-823细胞与H.pylo-ri-L型细菌的浓度比例增大,胃癌BGC-823细胞穿透重建基底膜的数量逐渐增多,穿透重建基底膜的胃癌细胞数量在不同实验组之间的差异有统计学意义(F=24.78,P0.01);(2)Western-blotting实验发现,随着胃癌BGC-823细胞与H.pylori-L型比例增大,胃癌BGC-823细胞中OPN和MMP2的表达量逐渐增加,呈细菌浓度依赖性。结论 H.pylori-L型感染增强胃癌细胞的侵袭能力,具有细菌浓度依赖效应,其机制可能与其上调了胃癌细胞OPN、MMP2表达有关。     

The Growth and Tumor Suppressors NORE1A and RASSF1A Are Targets for Calpain-Mediated Proteolysis

Background

NORE1A and RASSF1A are growth and tumour suppressors inactivated in a variety of cancers. Methylation of NORE1A and RASSF1A promoters is the predominant mechanism for downregulation of these proteins; however, other mechanisms are likely to exist.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Here we describe a proteolysis of NORE1A and RASSF1A by calpains as alternative mechanism of their downregulation. Extracts of H358 cell line, a human bronchoalveolar carcinoma, and H460, a large cell carcinoma, were capable of proteolysis of NORE1A protein in the calpain-dependent manner. Likewise, RASSF1A tumor suppressor was proteolyzed by the H358 cell extract. Addition of calpain inhibitor to H358 and H460 cells growing in tissue culture resulted in re-expression of endogenous NORE1A. A survey of 10 human lung tumours revealed that three of them contain an activity capable of inducing NORE1A degradation.

Conclusions/Significance

Thus, degradation by calpains is a novel mechanism for downregulation of NORE1A and RASSF1A proteins and might be the mechanism allowing cancer cells to escape growth suppression.     

Methylation profiling of urothelial carcinoma in bladder biopsy and urine

OBJECTIVE: To test DNA methylation profiling in detection of urothelial carcinoma in urine. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty-three bladder specimens were analyzed for the DNA p16INK4a, RASSF1, APC, GSTP, E-Cad and CyclinD2 genes to determine if there is a difference in gene methylation between benign and malignant cases. Urine samples were analyzed in a feasibility study. Finally, methylation profiles of urine samples were obtained and compared with follow-up biopsy diagnoses. RESULTS: We found methylated genes in 18% benign, 37% urothelial carcinoma in situ and 93% infiltrating urothelial carcinoma cases (p = 0.001). Methylation profiles from the 18 urine samples revealed a significantly higher prevalence of methylated genes in carcinoma cases than benign cases (100% vs. 50%, p = 0.025). We analyzed methylation profiles in 37 cytologically atypical urine samples with malignant or benign diagnosis on surgical follow-up andfound that only APC (55% in malignant vs. 0% in benign, p=0.025) and CyclinD2 were differentially methylated (35% in malignant vs. 0% in benign, p=0.2) while p14ARF, p16INK4a, RASSF1, GSTP and E-Cad had similar methylation profiles. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that methylation of p14ARF, p16INK4a, RASSF1, GSTP and E-Cad genes may not accurately identify carcinoma, but methylated APC and CyclinD2 might be useful biomarkers for urothelial carcinoma in urine.     

Targeted polyubiquitylation of RASSF1C by the Mule and SCFβ-TrCP ligases in response to DNA damage

RASSF1A [Ras association (RalGDS/AF-6) domain family member 1A] and RASSF1C are two ubiquitously expressed isoforms of the RASSF1 gene. The promoter of RASSF1A is frequently hypermethylated, resulting in inactivation in various human cancers. RASSF1A is implicated in the regulation of apoptosis, microtubule stability and cell cycle arrest. However, little is known about the regulation and function of RASSF1C. In the present study we show that exogenously expressed RASSF1C is a very unstable protein that is highly polyubiquitylated and degraded via the proteasome. Furthermore, RASSF1C degradation is enhanced when cells are exposed to stress signals, such as UV irradiation. Mule, a HECT (homologous with E6-associated protein C-terminus) family E3 ligase, but not SCFβ-TrCP [where SCF is Skp1 (S-phase kinase-associated protein 1)/cullin/F-box and β-TrCP is β-bransducin repeat-containing protein] or CUL4 (cullin 4)-DDB1 (damage-specific DNA-binding protein 1), is the E3 ligase for RASSF1C under normal conditions, whereas both Mule and SCFβ-TrCP target RASSF1C degradation in response to UV irradiation. GSK3 (glycogen synthase kinase 3) phosphorylates RASSF1C to promote RASSF1C degradation subsequently, which is negatively regulated by the PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase)/Akt pathway. Thus the present study reveals a novel regulation of RASSF1C and the potentially important role of RASSF1C in DNA damage responses.     

Ras association domain family 1C protein stimulates human lung cancer cell proliferation

Recently, the Ras association domain family 1 gene (RASSF1) has been identified as a Ras effector encoding two major mRNA forms, RASSF1A and RASSF1C, derived by alternative promoter selection and alternative mRNA splicing. RASSF1A is a tumor suppressor gene. However, the function of RASSF1C, both in normal and cancer cells, is still unknown. To learn more about the function of RASSF1C in human cancer cells, we tested the effect of silencing RASSF1C mRNA with small interfering RNA on lung cancer cells (NCI H1299) that express RASSF1C but not RASSF1A. Small interfering RNA specific for RASSF1C reduced RASSF1C mRNA levels compared with controls. This reduction in RASSF1C expression caused a significant decrease in lung cancer cell proliferation. Furthermore, overexpression of RASSF1C increased cell proliferation in lung cancer cells. Finally, we found that RASSF1C, unlike RASSF1A, does not upregulate N-cadherin 2 and transglutaminase 2 protein expression in NCI H1299 lung cancer cells. This suggests that RASSF1C and RASSF1A have different effector targets. Together, our findings suggest that RASSF1C, unlike RASSF1A, is not a tumor suppressor but rather stimulates lung cancer cell proliferation.     

巢式甲基化特异性PCR检测肝细胞癌患者血清中RASSF1A和CDH13基因启动子区甲基化

为了检测肝细胞癌患者血清中RASSF1A和CDH13基因启动子的甲基化状态,收集肝细胞癌患者及健康对照者的血清标本,采用巢式甲基化特异性PCR(nMSP)法检测RASSF1A和CDH13基因启动子区甲基化状态.结果肝细胞癌患者血清样品中RASSF1A和CDH13基因启动子区甲基化率为53.12%和31.25%,68.75%的患者血清可以检测到异常甲基化,正常对照血清中未检测到RASSF1A和CDH13基因启动子区甲基化,RASSF1A和CDH13基因甲基化与患者的临床病理资料无明显相关性(P>0.05);表明nMSP法检测血清中RASSF1A和CDH13基因启动子区甲基化具有较高的敏感性,可为肝细胞癌的筛查、早期诊断和预后判断提供有价值的信息.     

Methylation of the promoter region of the RASSF1A gene, a candidate tumor suppressor, in primary epithelial tumors

Methylation of the promoter CpG-islands of the candidate tumor suppressor gene RASSF1A (3p21.31) was studied in primary tumors of kidney, breast and ovary (172 cases). Methylation-specific PCR (MSP) and methyl-sensitive restriction endonuclease digestion followed by PCR (MSRA) were applied. Statistically significant correlation (P < 10(-6)) was shown for the results of the MSP and MSRA, and the data of bisulfite sequencing reported earlier. The frequency of RASSF1A methylation according to MSP and MSRA was 86% (25/29) and 94% (50/53) in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and 64% (18/28) and 78% (32/41)--in breast carcinoma (BC) samples, and 59% (17/29) and 73% (33/45) in ovarian epithelial tumors (OET), respectively. The use of several methyl-sensitive restriction enzymes (HpaII, HhaI, Bsh12361, AciI) enhanced the sensitivity of MSRA and allowed to analyze methylation status of 18 CpG-pairs in the RASSF1A CpG-island. Density of methylation of the RASSF1A CpG-island was 72% (644/900) in RCC, 63% (361/576) in BC, and 58% (346/594) in OET samples (18 CpG-pairs multiplied to the number of samples shown methylation were assumed as 100%). The RASSF1A gene methylation was also observed in samples of morphologically normal tissues adjacent to corresponding tumors (11-35%), but it was not detected in blood DNAs of healthy donors (0/15). The RASSF1A methylation frequency did not show significant correlation to tumor stage, grade and metastases (P = 0.3-1.0). The RASSF1A gene methylation was observed more frequently than other investigated aberrations--hemi- and homozygous deletions inside or around this gene. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that the RASSF1A gene methylation is an early event in the carcinogenesis and one of the dominant ways of its inactivation.     

BRAF mutation and RASSF1A expression in thyroid carcinoma of southern Italy

Aim of this work is to provide a detailed comparison of clinical‐pathologic features between well‐differentiated and poorly differentiated tumors according to their BRAF and RASSF1A status. We analyzed RASSF1A methylation by MSP and BRAF mutation by LCRT‐PCR with LightMix® kit BRAF V600E in neoplastic thyroid tissues. Immunohistochemical evaluation of RASSF1A expression was also performed by standard automated LSAB‐HRP technique. An overall higher degree of RASSF1A over‐expression than normal thyroid parenchyma surrounding tumors (P < 0.05) has been found in all malignant well‐differentiated lesions. Moreover, statistically significant higher levels of RASSF1A expression were observed in differentiated cancers associated to an inflammatory autoimmune background (P = 0.01). Amplifiable DNA for LC PCR with LightMix® kit BRAF V600E was obtained in nine PTCs, four FVPTCs, five ATCs, and one control. The V600E mutation was found in 13 of 18 (72%) tumors. BRAF was mutated in 6 of 9 (66%) classical PTC, in 2 of 4 (50%) follicular variant PTC and in all ACs (100%). The overall frequency of RASSF1A promoter methylation observed was 20.5% (9 cases out 44). Hypermethylation of RASSF1A in primary tumors was variable according to histotypes ranging from100% (5/5) in ACs to only 12.5% (4/32) in PTCs. We show a correlation between RASSF1A methylation status and RASSF1A protein expression. Finally, we conclude that BRAF V600E mutation and RASSF1A methylation were pathogenetic event restricted to a subgroup of PTC/FVPTCs in early stage and to clinically aggressive ATCs. J. Cell. Biochem. 114: 1174–1182, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.