BRAF in primary and recurrent papillary thyroid cancers: the relationship with (131)I and 2-[(18)F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose uptake ability.

Objective: BRAF V600E is a potential marker of poor prognosis in papillary thyroid cancers (PTC). In a previous report, we showed that recurrent PTC with no radioiodine ((131)I) uptake are frequently associated with BRAF mutations, a low expression of thyroid-related genes and a high expression of glucose type-1 transporter gene.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess BRAF status in a large series of recurrent PTC patients, considering paired primary and recurrent cancers.

Iodine status in pregnancy: role of dietary habits and geographical origin.

Objectives: A study was conducted on iodine status during pregnancy and its dependence on dietary habits, racial and geographical origin, and time since arrival in Italy.

Design And Methods: We enrolled 322 consecutive pregnant women: 217 Italians, 62 Eastern Europeans and 43 from Northern and Central Africa. All women completed a food frequency questionnaire on their dietary habits.

Molecular characteristics in papillary thyroid cancers (PTCs) with no 131I uptake.

Objective: Papillary thyroid cancers (PTCs) with no iodine uptake have an aggressive behaviour and a poor prognosis. The aim of our study was to characterize, at molecular level, a subset of PTC with no 131 iodine ((131)I) uptake.

Design And Methods: Forty-eight cancer tissues were divided into three groups: Group 1, 28 primary cancers; Group 2, 7 recurrences capable of trapping (131)I; and Group 3, 13 recurrences incapable of trapping (131)I.