PLK4 reflects extrathyroidal invasion, high tumor stage and poor prognosis in papillary thyroid carcinoma patients

Objective: This study aimed to assess the value of PLK4 as a biomarker in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Methods: This study reviewed 230 PTC patients receiving surgical resections. PLK4 was detected in tumor tissues and samples of normal thyroid gland tissues by immunohistochemistry. Results: PLK4 was elevated in tumor tissues versus normal thyroid gland tissues (p < 0.001). Tumor PLK4 was linked with extrathyroidal invasion (p = 0.036), higher pathological tumor stage (p = 0.030), node stage (p = 0.045) and tumor/node/metastasis stage (p = 0.022) in PTC patients. Tumor PLK4 immunohistochemistry score >3 was linked with shortened disease-free survival (p = 0.026) and overall survival (p = 0.028) and independently predicted poorer disease-free survival (hazard ratio: 2.797; p = 0.040). Conclusion: Tumor PLK4 reflects extrathyroidal invasion, higher tumor stage and shortened survival in PTC.