MicroRNA expression profile helps to distinguish benign nodules from papillary thyroid carcinomas starting from cells of fine-needle aspiration

Abstract

The expression profiles of three miRNAs allowed us to distinguish benign from PTC starting from FNA. When the assay was applied to discriminate thyroid nodules with undetermined cytology, a low sensitivity and specificity despite the low number of false-negative predictions was obtained, limiting the practical interest of the method.