In conclusion, Prox1 expression in MTC is positively correlated with Ki67 and with the immunohistochemical expression of chromogranin A and calcitonin.
Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) cells characteristically express the transcription factor ASCL1 (achaete-scute complex-like 1) as well as high levels of the neuroendocrine (NE) markers calcitonin and chromogranin A (CgA).
The secretion of CgA and CT was coordinately regulated by phorbol in both MTC and M103 cells, and related mRNA changes could be detected in the M103 cells.
An mRNA of approximately 2.3Kb was detected with the cDNA probes in human cell lines from MTC and lung cancers that were shown to produce CgA and in human pheochromocytoma and bovine adrenal medulla tissue.