Expression of IL-13 and CXCR4 in papillary thyroid carcinoma and their correlation

Objective To detect the expression of interleukin 13(IL-13)and chemokine receptor(CXCR4)in papillary thyroid carcinoma.(PTC)and nodular goiter(NG)for screening the useful biomarkers to help the diagnosis of PTC and to investigate the relationship between the expression of IL-13 and CXCR4 in PTC.Methods 160 surgical specimens,including 80 PTC and 80 NG,Were collected in Ruijin hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiantong university school of medicine during the period of 2007 to 2008.The clinicopathological data of all cases were also collected.The expression of IL-13 and CXCR4 in all 160 samples was detected by immanohistochemical staining.Results IL-13 expression in PTC was significantly higher than in NG(93.75% vs8.75%).There was statistically significant difference between samples of PTC and NG(P<0.05).CXCR4 expression was significantly higher in PTC than in NG(82.50%vs 15.00%).There was statistically significant difference between PTC and NG(P<0.05).Positive correlation was revealed between IL-13 and CXCR4 expression in PTC samples.Conclusions IL-13 and CXCR4 can be used as the biomarkers for PTC.The high expression of the two markers is commonly associated with malignant behavior. Key words: Thyroid; IL-13; CXCR4