Diagnostic and Prognostic Role of HBME-1, Galectin-3, and β-Catenin in Poorly Differentiated and Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinomas

Abstract

Our data set up the idea that PDC represents an intermediate step in the biological process of dedifferentiation of thyroid tumors toward ATC. This shift is underlined by the β-catenin expression, which seems to be related to a worse prognostic behavior. HBME-1 and galectin-3 show a similar pattern in PDC compared with well-differentiated carcinoma, whereas they are not expressed, as well as β-catenin, in anaplastic carcinomas.