Exploring the Role of Non-Coding RNAs in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Progression: A qPCR-Based Approach

Abstract

Background: Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the predominant kind of thyroid cancer, with certain patients exhibiting an aggressive disease course marked by recurrence and metastasis. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have recently been acknowledged for their involvement in cancer progression, indicating their potential as prognostic indicators. This study examines the expression of specific ncRNAs, namely miR-146b, H19, and MALAT1, in PTC. Objectives: The project seeks to characterise the expression of miR-146b, H19, and MALAT1 in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) compared to normal thyroid tissues to evaluate their potential as prognostic biomarkers, linking their levels with tumour attributes including size, metastasis, and recurrence. Methods: Seventy-five individuals were categorised into three groups: normal thyroid tissue, low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), and high-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). RNA was isolated from tissue samples and transcribed into complementary DNA (cDNA) for quantitative PCR (qPCR). The expression levels of the target ncRNAs were standardised to GAPDH, and statistical analyses were performed to compare the groups. Results: qPCR analysis revealed markedly increased expression of miR-146b, H19, and MALAT1 in both PTC groups compared to the normal group, with the highest expression noted in high-risk PTC. ΔCt values demonstrated considerable disparities, especially for MALAT1, indicating its potential as a biomarker for PTC aggressiveness. Conclusion: The results endorse miR-146b, H19, and MALAT1 as potential biomarkers for differentiating PTC from normal thyroid tissue. MALAT1’s expression profile correlates with tumour aggressiveness, highlighting its potential as a prognostic instrument for PTC therapy.