ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: DPP4 gene (dipeptidyl peptidase IV) is expressed in epithelial cells of many organs and cells of immune system. There is no expression of DPP4 in normal healthy thyroid, while it is highly expressed in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), as shown by gene expression profiling. In this study we validated expression of DPP4 in papillary thyroid cancer and normal thyroid tissue and evaluated its usefulness for diagnostic purposes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The analysis was carried out on total RNA extracted from 102 PTCs and 77 normal thyroid fragments with use of Q-PCR reaction. Beta-glucuronidase was the reference gene. RESULTS: We confirmed the distinct increase of DPP4 expression in papillary thyroid carcinoma. However, the ROC (relative operating characteristic) analysis revealed that the diagnostic efficiency of DPP4 estimation is limited. CONCLUSIONS: DPP4 is increased in papillary thyroid cancer, however, its diagnostic usefulness as a single PTC marker is doubtful.
