Mirnas as biomakers for distinguishing benign from malignant thyroid neoplasms

Abstract

The present invention concerns methods and compositions for identifying a miRNA profile for a particular condition, such as thyroid nodules or thyroid cancer, and using the profile in the diagnosis of a patient for a condition, such as thyroid nodules or thyroid cancer.

1 - 34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . A method of producing a thyroid miRNA profile, the method comprising
 sequencing a population of miRNAs from a thyroid sample from a subject, wherein the sequencing comprises contacting the thyroid sample from the subject with labeled primers specific for a group of microRNAs comprising miR-375, miR-146b-5p, mir-138-1*, and miR-204;   detecting the sequences of the miRNAs of miR-375, miR-146b-5p, mir-138-1*, and miR-204; and   analyzing the detected detecting the sequences of the miRNAs of miR-375, miR-146b-5p, mir-138-1*, and miR-204 to produce the thyroid miRNA profile.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the method further comprises measuring expression levels of microRNAs miR-375, miR-146b-5p, mir-138-1*, and miR-204 from the thyroid sample from the subject with the labeled modified nucleotide microRNA probes that bind specifically to miR-375, miR-146b-5p, mir-138-1*, and miR-204 to produce the thyroid microRNA profile. 
     
     
         37 . A method of treating a subject identified with a papillary thyroid carcinoma, the method comprising:
 contacting the thyroid sample from the subject with labeled primers specific for a group of microRNAs comprising miR-375, miR-146b-5p, mir-138-1*, and miR-204; and   reacting the sample with the labeled primers under conditions to amplify the microRNAs using polymerase chain reaction to produce the labeled nucleotide sequences;   measuring expression levels of microRNAs miR-375, miR-146b-5p, mir-138-1*, and miR-204 from the unclassified thyroid sample from the subject with the labeled modified nucleotide microRNA probes that bind specifically to miR-375, miR-146b-5p, mir-138-1*, and miR-204 to produce a microRNA profile based upon the binding of the labeled nucleotide microRNA probes and the labeled nucleotide sequences produced using the polymerase chain reaction;   comparing the expression levels of the microRNAs in the profile from the unclassified thyroid sample from the subject to a normal thyroid reference level for each miRNA;   identifying the unclassified thyroid sample as papillary thyroid carcinoma when the profile expression levels of miR-375, miR-146b-5p are increased as compared to the normal reference level and mir-138-1* and miR-204 are decreased as compared to the normal reference level; and   treating the subject whose sample was identified as papillary thyroid carcinoma.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the treating comprises administering radioactive iodine, radiation, or chemotherapy to the subject identified as having papillary thyroid carcinoma or performing a thyroidectomy on the subject identified as having papillary thyroid carcinoma. 
     
     
         39 . A composition comprising labeled thyroid derived nucleic acid molecules, wherein the labeled molecules comprise nucleic acid molecules that hybridize with or correspond to miR-375, miR-146b-5p, mir-138-1*, and miR-204. 
     
     
         40 . The composition of  claim 39 , wherein the label is non-radioactive. 
     
     
         41 . The composition of  claim 39 , wherein the label is radioactive. 
     
     
         42 . The composition of  claim 39 , wherein the label is a UV spectrum emitting label. 
     
     
         43 . The composition of  claim 39 , wherein the label is a fluorescent label. 
     
     
         44 . The composition of  claim 39 , wherein the label is an enzymatic label.