Genetic alterations are well known to be related to the pathogenesis and prognosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Some miRNA expression dysregulations have previously been described in the context of cancer development including thyroid carcinoma. In our study, we performed original molecular diagnostics on tissue samples related to our own patients. We aimed to identify all dysregulated miRNAs in potential association with PTC development via sequencing much higher numbers of control-matched PTC tissue samples and analyzing a wider variety of miRNA types than previous studies. We analyzed the expression levels of 2656 different human miRNAs in the context of 236 thyroid tissue samples (118 tumor and control pairs) related to anonymized PTC cases. Also, KEGG pathway enrichment analysis and GO framework analysis were used to establish the links between miRNA dysregulation and certain biological processes, pathways of signaling, molecular functions, and cellular components. A total of 30 significant differential miRNA expressions with at least ±1 log₂ fold change were found related to PTC including, e.g., miR-551b, miR-146b, miR-221, miR-222, and miR-375, among others, being highly upregulated, as well as miR-873 and miR-204 being downregulated. In addition, we identified miRNA patterns in vast databases (KEGG and GO) closely similar to that of PTC including, e.g., miRNA patterns of prostate cancer, HTLV infection, HIF-1 signaling, cellular responses to growth factor stimulus and organic substance, and negative regulation of gene expression. We also found 352 potential associations between certain miRNA expressions and states of clinicopathological variables. Our findings—supported by the largest case number of original matched-control PTC–miRNA relation research—suggest a distinct miRNA expression profile in PTC that could contribute to a deeper understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms promoting the pathogenesis of the disease. Moreover, significant miRNA expression deviations and their signaling pathways in PTC presented in our study may serve as potential biomarkers for PTC diagnosis and prognosis or even therapeutic targets in the future.

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a rare side effect of antiresorptive drugs that significantly hinders the quality of life of affected patients. The disease develops in the presence of a combination of factors. Important pathogenetic factors include inflammation, inhibition of bone remodeling, or genetic predisposition. Since the first description of this rare side effect in 2003, a growing body of data has suggested a possible role for genetic factors in the disease. Several genes have been suggested to play an important role in the pathogenesis of MRONJ such as SIRT1, VEGFA, and CYP2C8. With the development of molecular biology, newer methods such as miRNA and gene expression studies have been introduced in MRONJ, in addition to methods that can examine the base sequence of the DNA. Describing the complex genetic background of MRONJ can help further understand its pathophysiology as well as identify new therapeutic targets to better manage this adverse drug reaction.

Certain genetic factors, including single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the SIRT1 gene, have been linked to medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). This study examined four SNPs in the SIRT1 gene and implemented multivariate statistical analysis to analyze genetic and clinical factors in MRONJ patients. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood samples of 63 patients of European origin treated for MRONJ, and four SNP genotypes in the gene encoding the SIRT-1 protein were determined by Sanger sequencing. The allele frequencies measured in the MRONJ population were compared with allele frequencies measured in the European population in the National Center for Biotechnology Information Allele Frequency Aggregator (NCBI ALFA) database. Genetic and clinical factors were examined with multivariate statistical analysis. A C:A allele distribution ratio of 77.8:22.2 was measured in the rs932658 SNP. In the ALFA project, a C:A allele distribution ratio of 59.9:40.1 was detected in the European population, which was found to be a significant difference (p = 4.5 × 10⁻⁵). Multivariate statistical analysis revealed a positive correlation (0.275) between the genotype of SNP rs932658 and the number of stages improved during appropriate MRONJ therapy. It is concluded that allele A in SNP rs932658 in the SIRT1 gene acts as a protective factor in MRONJ.

Thyroid cancer is the most common type of endocrine malignancy. Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is its predominant subtype, which is responsible for the vast majority of cases. It is true that PTC is a malignant tumor with a very good prognosis due to effective primary therapeutic approaches such as thyroidectomy and radioiodine (RAI) therapy. However, we are often required to indicate second-line treatments to eradicate the tumor properly. In these scenarios, molecular therapies are promising alternatives, especially if specifically targetable mutations are present. Many of these targetable gene alterations originate from gene fusions, which can be found using molecular diagnostics like next-generation sequencing (NGS). Nonetheless, molecular profiling is far from being a routine procedure in the initial phase of PTC diagnostics. As a result, the mutation status, except for BRAF V600E mutation, is not included in risk classification algorithms either. This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of fusion mutations in PTC and their associations with clinicopathological variables in order to underscore certain clinical settings when molecular diagnostics should be considered earlier, and to demonstrate yet unknown molecular–clinicopathological connections. We conducted a retrospective fusion mutation screening in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) PTC tissue samples of 100 patients. After quality evaluation by an expert pathologist, RNA isolation was performed, and then NGS was applied to detect 23 relevant gene fusions in the tumor samples. Clinicopathological data were collected from medical and histological records. To obtain the most associations from the multivariate dataset, we used the d-correlation method for our principal component analysis (PCA). Further statistical analyses, including Chi-square tests and logistic regressions, were performed to identify additional significant correlations within certain subsets of the data. Fusion mutations were identified in 27% of the PTC samples, involving nine distinct genes: RET, NTRK3, CCDC6, ETV6, MET, ALK, NCOA4, EML4, and SQSTM1. RET and CCDC6 fusions were associated with type of thyroidectomy, RAI therapy, smaller tumor size, and history of Hashimoto’s disease. NCOA4 fusion correlated with sex, multifocality, microcarcinoma character, history of goiter, and obstructive pulmonary disease. EML4 fusion was also linked with surgical procedure type and smaller tumor size, as well as the history of hypothyroidism. SQSTM1 fusion was associated with multifocality and a medical history of thyroid/parathyroid adenoma. NTRK3 and ETV6 fusions showed significant associations with Hashimoto’s disease, and ETV6, also with endometriosis. Moreover, fusion mutations were linked to younger age at the time of diagnosis, particularly the fusion of ETV6. The frequent occurrence of fusion mutations and their associations with certain clinicopathological metrics highlight the importance of integrating molecular profiling into routine PTC management. Early detection of fusion mutations can inform surgical decisions and therapeutic strategies, potentially improving clinical outcomes.

Vitamin D is well established for its skeletal effects, being a cornerstone of several endocrine disorders. In recent years, it has come under investigation as a potential disease-modifying drug in several endocrine disorders through its immune modulatory and anti-tumorigenic action, particularly in thyroid disease, gynecologic disorders, and general fertility. Vitamin D supplementation is well established in the treatment of osteoporosis, osteomalacia, hypoparathyroidism, and primary hyperparathyroidism. In autoimmune thyroid disease, there is a negative correlation between 25(OH)D3 levels and prevalence. Currently available data are inconclusive on supplementation as a disease-modifying treatment. In Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, while some found improved thyroid function, a decline in progression, and antibody titers, these findings were not consistent, and some found no improvements. Painless postpartum thyroiditis severely lacks evidence. Interventional studies failed to demonstrate benefits in Graves’ disease. The literature consistently reports lower vitamin D levels in infertility, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and endometriosis. In PCOS, data suggest that vitamin D supplementation is beneficial; however, results in exact benefits vary and there is no consensus on dosing. Current guidelines support supplementation as part of preconception nutritional care. In general, for female infertility and endometriosis, the results are conflicting, with a lack of high-quality evidence. The literature suggests there is a possible benefit regarding sperm motility, but not in testosterone levels for males. In conclusion, while in vitro studies and animal models are promising, the available evidence is often contradictory, with high heterogeneity in study designs and populations. Our paper highlights the need for further high-quality research to resolve current controversies.