Genomic and transcriptomic hallmarks of poorly differentiated and anaplastic thyroid cancers.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Poorly differentiated thyroid cancer (PDTC) and anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) are rare and frequently lethal tumors that so far have not been subjected to comprehensive genetic characterization.

Methods

We performed next-generation sequencing of 341 cancer genes from 117 patient-derived PDTCs and ATCs and analyzed the transcriptome of a representative subset of 37 tumors. Results were analyzed in the context of The Cancer Genome Atlas study (TCGA study) of papillary thyroid cancers (PTC).

Results

Compared to PDTCs, ATCs had a greater mutation burden, including a higher frequency of mutations in TP53, TERT promoter, PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway effectors, SWI/SNF subunits, and histone methyltransferases. BRAF and RAS were the predominant drivers and dictated dist

SUBMITTER: Landa I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4767360 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature