TTF-1 (thyroid transcription factor-1)

Term: TTF-1 (thyroid transcription factor-1)Definition: TTF-1 is a protein used as a biomarker to identify the origin of certain lung cancers, aiding in distinguishing between primary lung adenocarcinoma and cancers that have metastasized from other sites.Phonetic Pronunciation: (TEE-TEE-EFF-ONE)Origin: TTF-1, or thyroid transcription factor-1, derives its name from its initial discovery in thyroid tissue. It was identified as a transcription factor, a type of protein that controls the rate of transcription of genetic information from DNA to messenger RNA. The term 'transcription factor' comes from the Latin 'transcribere,' meaning 'to copy,' reflecting the protein's role in gene expression.Significance in Asbestos Context: In the context of asbestos-related diseases, TTF-1 is significant because it helps pathologists differentiate primary lung cancer from mesothelioma, another asbestos-linked malignancy. This differentiation is crucial for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment planning for asbestos-exposed individuals.Example Sentence: The pathologist used TTF-1 staining to confirm that the patient's lung tumor was a primary adenocarcinoma rather than a metastasis from another site, which was important for assessing the role of asbestos exposure in the patient's case.Related Terms: Biomarker, immunohistochemistry, adenocarcinoma, mesothelioma, lung cancer.Notes: - TTF-1 is not specific to asbestos-related diseases but is useful in the broader context of lung cancer diagnosis. - It is typically used in conjunction with other markers to achieve a more accurate diagnosis.