P53 concentration and soluble FasL (sFasL) serum level as indicators of apoptosis in patients with benign and malignant thyroid tumors.

During embryonal development and morphogenesis, apoptosis may be induced by two pathways. The first is an external protein signal originating from other cell--also named as "death signal". The another one is a specific cell reaction to external stress factors. Plasma concentration of proteins regulating both apoptosis pathways may be useful in early diagnosis and staging of thyroid tumors. The aim of the study was to evaluate p53 and sFasL plasma concentration in patients with benign and malignant thyroid tumors. The study population was composed of 33 patients with thyroid carcinoma and 10 patients with follicular carcinoma (tumor types were verified by fine-needle biopsy). All patients underwent surgical procedures. p53 and sFasL levels were evaluated before surgery. Control group consists of 10 adult healthy volunteers. The results revealed high p53 and sFasL plasma concentration in patients with benign and malignant thyroid tumors. Such results confirm a significant role of p53 and sFasL in apoptosis in thyroid tumors. Expression of both proteins may be an indicator of an increased apoptosis and useful in preoperative diagnosis in thyroid tumors (Tab. 1, Ref. 31).