Cyclic adenosine monophoshate phosphodiesterase: A possible marker of thyroid pathology?

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether or not the expression of cAMP-phosphodiesterases (cAMP-PDE) varies in different thyroid pathologies and to elucidate the relationship between the expression of cAMP-PDE and clinic-pathologic factors. Forty thyroid biopsy samples, excised to perform the biopsy, were microscopically examined and classified. Then cAMP-PDE expression was assessed using high performance liquid chromatography. The expression of cAMP-PDE showed different patterns according to the histological features of the samples (p <0.001). A strong expression of cAMP-PDE was observed more frequently in papillar and follicular carcinoma than in controls and benign pathologies. We did not detect any level of endogenous cAMP. cAMP could be used as additional diagnostic or prognostic biomarker in patients suspected of thyroid disease, however further studies are needed to confirm these results.