Differentiating between different forms of malignant and benign thyroid tumors, based on altered expression of selected genes in thyroid tissue

摘要

Differentiating between benign and malignant tumors of the thyroid comprising isolating RNA from thyroid tissue and quantifying mRNA transcripts, is new. Differentiating between benign and malignant tumors of the thyroid comprises isolating RNA from thyroid tissue and quantifying mRNA transcripts from at least one of 153 genes (all listed by name and NCBI accession number). An increase in transcripts from 18 of these genes, or a reduction in transcripts from 14 of them indicates a benign tumor, while an increase from 77 of them or reduction from 52 of them indicates a malignant tumor. Independent claims are also included for: (1) differentiating any one of benign hot nodules, benign cold nodules, malignant follicular carcinoma and maligant papillar carcinoma from the other three; (2) diagnostic kit for the new processes; and (3) hybridization probes (SEQ ID NO.19) and (SEQ ID NO.20).