Endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 2 is highly expressed in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma with cervical lymph node metastasis.

Background: The cervical lymph node metastasis (CLNM) of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) is not uncommon. However, prophylactic cervical lymph node dissection in all PTMC is debatable. Molecular markers of predicting CLNM would help to decide to either do or not do cervical lymph node dissection which might increase morbidities.
Aims: We aimed to characterize gene expression profiles and molecular markers of CLNM in PTMC.
Settings and Design: The thyroid frozen tissues were obtained with from six PTMC patients, who underwent total thyroidectomy.
Methods: We performed oligonucleotide microarray analysis with three PTMCs with CLNM and three without CLNM. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to validate the gene.
Statistical Analysis Used: We used linear models for microarray data.
Results: We identified 12 differentially expressed gene, and most one is endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 2 (ERAP2).
Conclusion: ERAP2 might be associated with CLNM in PTMC.