?Assessment of Serum Midkine Level in benign and Malignant Thyroid Nodules: Can Midkine be a marker of thyroid malignancy

Abstract

Abstract Background: Thyroid nodules are a common clinical problem. The prevalence of malignancy in thyroid nodules is currently about 5–15%. Optimal prediction of malignancy in nodular thyroid disease is needed to achieve the best medical and surgical intervention. Midkine (MK), a novel heparin-binding growth factor, plays critical roles in a variety of biological phenomena such as carcinogenesis, inflammation/immunity, blood pressure, cellular proliferation, survival, migration of cellular functions, angiogenesis, fibrinolysis, and host defense and tissue protection. Aim of the Work: The aim of this study is to evaluate the value of serum Midkine as a marker of Malignancy in Patients with Nodular Thyroid Disease.