Combination of Hexokinase 2 and Color Doppler Ultrasound in Diagnosis of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to clarify the clinical significance and molecular mechanism of hexokinase 2 (HK2) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Methods: The observational study enrolled 279 PTC patients during January 2018 to January 2020. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was utilized for evaluating the HK2 expression in PTC tissues. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was utilized for measuring the serum cancer antigen of cancer antigen (CA) 125, CA199 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). The relationship between HK2 and clinical outcomes and 2-year prognosis of PTC patients was analyzed. Additionally, an in vitro study was carried out to assess the impact of silencing HK2 on cell viability, apoptosis and autophagy in PTC cell. Results: A significant upregulation in HK2 was observed in PTC cell lines and tissues. Patients with higher HK2 expression showed significantly larger tumor diameter, higher tumor number, higher frequency of infiltration and lymph node metastasis, as well as higher serum CEA, CA125 and CA199 levels. The combination of HK2 and color Doppler ultrasound could be utilized to diagnose PTC patients’ lymph node metastasis. Higher HK2 predicted shorter 2-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate. Logistic analysis showed that HK2, multifocal and CEA were independent risk factors for 2-year recurrence of PTC patients. The in vitro study showed that knockdown of HK2 not only significantly decreased cell viability and autophagy, but also significantly promoted cell apoptosis in PTC cells. Conclusions: HK2 expression is related to poor clinical outcomes and prognosis of PTC patients. Silence of HK2 can promote cell apoptosis, inhibit cell viability and block autophagy.