Evolution of intra-tumoral heterogeneity across different pathological stages in papillary thyroid carcinoma

Ultrasound-guided thermal ablation therapy for papillary thyroid carcinoma: a bibliometric analysis from 2000 to 2023

Background

Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is increasingly treated with procedures. However, there is a lack of relevant systematic evaluation articles. Therefore, this study aims to explore the research landscape of PTC thermal ablation through bibliometric analysis.

Methods

We searched publications related to PTC thermal ablation therapy from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2023, from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). Subsequently, bibliometric analyses were then performed using the R package "bibliometrix", as well as VOSviewer and CiteSpace software, to visualize data on countries, institutions, journals, authors, keywords, and references.

Results

A total of 283 publications from 17 countries were retrieved, and the number of publications had shown a steady increase over the past decade, with China, the USA and South Korea being the top three contributing countries. The Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital was the most prolific institution, with the International Journal of Hyperthermia being the most frequent publisher. The author with the highest number of publications was Yukun Luo. "Radiofrequency ablation" was identified as the most commonly used keyword, indicating a potential research hotspot for the future.

Conclusions

This bibliometric study comprehensively analyzed publications on PTC thermal ablation, providing valuable insights into the history and current status of this research field, while also offering guidance for future research directions.

Fmoc-FF Nanogel-Mediated Delivery of Doxorubicin and Curcumin in Thyroid Cancer Cells

Background: Thyroid cancer (TC) is the most prevalent endocrine malignancy, and is categorized into well-differentiated and aggressive anaplastic types. Novel therapeutic modalities are needed for TC. Nanomedicine is a promising strategy for the development of precision medicine. In this context, we investigated the use of nanogels (NGs) to deliver agents with different physicochemical properties, specifically the hydrophilic agent doxorubicin (DOX) and the hydrophobic compound curcumin (CUR), in TC cell lines. Methods: Nα-9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl-diphenylalanine (Fmoc-FF) peptide-based NGs loaded with DOX and CUR were formulated using the solvent-switch method. DOX-loaded NGs were previously characterized. CUR-loaded NGs were characterized through rheology, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Confocal microscopy, q-RT-PCR, and ATP lite assays were performed to evaluate the uptake and delivery of DOX- and CUR-loaded NGs on TC cell lines. Results: CUR-loaded NGs exhibited a mean diameter of approximately 204.3 nm and a zeta potential of -34.6 mV, indicative of a good stability. In vitro release studies revealed a sustained release profile of CUR over 72 h. Functional analyses demonstrated that Fmoc-FF-loaded NGs were internalized into TC cell lines. They were primarily localized in the cytoplasm rather than in early endosomes, thereby ensuring intracellular stability. Furthermore, Fmoc-FF NGs reduced the nuclear uptake kinetics of DOX in TC cells, suggesting a potential reduction in dose-limiting toxicity. Comparative studies with CUR-loaded NGs revealed similar internalization and delayed nuclear uptake, highlighting the efficacy of Fmoc-FF NGs in delivering hydrophobic agents. Conclusions: Overall, the data suggest that Fmoc-FF NGs represent a promising strategy for delivering agents with diverse physicochemical properties in TC, enhancing their efficacy and safety and warranting further investigation.

Exercise's impact on lung cancer molecular mechanisms: a current overview

Lung cancer is the major cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide with an estimated 1.8 million deaths and 2.4 million new cases in 2022. Poor cardiorespiratory fitness, dyspnea and fatigue are the common features in lung cancer patients, partially limiting the exercise prescription. Exercise improves cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness and reduces the risk of some types of cancer, including lung cancer. Recently, the American Society of Clinical Oncology has encouraged preoperative exercise for lung cancer patients. Nonetheless, only limited data, mostly obtained from mouse models of lung cancer, are available on the molecular effects of exercise in lung cancer. Thus, the present minireview aims to shed light on the molecular mechanisms induced by different type of exercise in lung cancer. In particular, the role of the exercise in tumor microenvironment remodeling, angiogenesis, gene expression, apoptosis and intermediate metabolism will be examined.

Anti-Proliferative and Anti-Migratory Activity of Licorice Extract and Glycyrrhetinic Acid on Papillary Thyroid Cancer Cell Cultures

Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the 8th most common cancer among women overall. Licorice contains over 300 active compounds, many of them with anti-cancer properties. Glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) is a major component of licorice. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential anti-proliferative effects of licorice and GA on PTC cell cultures. Licorice extract (LE) was produced from the root and tested on BCPAP and K1 cell lines, as well as GA and aldosterone. We used the MTT test to investigate the anti-proliferative activity, the wound healing test for the migratory activity, and finally, we analyzed cell cycle distribution, apoptosis, and oxidative stress after LE, GA, or aldosterone incubation. Both LE and GA reduced cell viability at 48 h and cell migration at 24 h in both PTC cultures. Aldosterone reduced cell migration only in K1 cells. LE and GA induced cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase in the BCPAP cell line, while LE and aldosterone induced it in the K1 culture. GA but not LE increased the apoptosis rate in both cell lines, whereas LE but not GA increased oxidative stress in both cultures. This study presents the first evidence of the in vitro anti-proliferative and anti-migratory activity of LE and GA on PTC.

Presumed Pathogenic Germ Line and Somatic Variants in African American Thyroid Cancer

Background: African American (AA) thyroid cancer patients have worse prognoses than European Americans (EA), which has been attributed to both health care disparities and possible genetic differences. We investigated the impact of both germ line and somatic variants on clinical outcome in a cohort of AA nonmedullary thyroid cancer (NMTC) patients who had received therapeutic intervention from cancer centers. Methods: Whole-exome sequencing was performed on DNA from available blood/normal tissues (N = 37) and paired tumor samples (N = 32) collected from 37 and 29 AA NMTC patients, respectively. Variants with Combined Annotation Depletion Dependent (CADD) score of ≥20 and VarSome Clinical classification of likely pathogenic or pathogenic were classified as presumed pathogenic germ line or somatic variants (PPGVs/PPSVs). PPGVs/PPSVs in cancer-related genes and PPGVs in cardiovascular risk genes were further investigated, and PPGVs/PPSVs associated with African (AFR) ancestry were identified. Results: Among 17 PPGVs identified in 16 cancer predisposition or known cancer-related genes, only WRN was previously known to associate with NMTC predisposition. Among PPSVs, BRAFV600E was most the prevalent and detected in 12 of the 29 (41%) tumors. Examining PPGVs/PPSVs among three patients who died from NMTC, one patient who died from papillary thyroid carcinoma/anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (PTC/ATC) led us to speculate that the PPGV ERCC4R799W may have increased the risk of PPSV TP53R273H acquisition. Among PPGVs identified in 18 cardiovascular risk genes, PPGVs in SC5NA, GYG1, CBS, CFTR, and SI are known to have causal and pathogenic implications in cardiovascular disease. Conclusion: In this cohort, most AA-NMTC patients exhibit favorable outcomes after therapeutic intervention given at cancer centers, suggesting that health care disparity is the major contributor for worse prognoses among AA-NMTC patients. Nevertheless, the clinical impact of PPGVs that might facilitate the acquisition of TP53 tumor mutations, and/or PPGVs that predispose individuals to adverse cardiovascular events, which could be exacerbated by therapy-induced cardiotoxicity, needs to be further explored. Integrated analysis of PPGV/PPSV profiles among NMTC patients with different stages of disease may help to identify NMTC patients who require close monitoring or proactive intervention.

First Evidence of Mineralocorticoid Receptor Gene and Protein Expression in Rat and Human Thyroid Tissues and Cell Cultures

Aldosterone (Aldo) exerts its action through binding with the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR). Clinically, a link between primary aldosteronism (PA) and thyroid diseases has been hypothesised. However, the presence and activity of MR on the thyroid have not yet been demonstrated. We investigated the gene/protein expression and activation of MR in primary thyroid cell cultures (normal rat thyroid [FRTL-5] and human papillary thyroid cancer [PTC] cell lines, BCPAP and K1) through qRT-PCR analysis, immunofluorescence, and confocal microscopy. We also studied the effects of Aldo on thyroid-specific and inflammation genes in vitro. Paired human normal and neoplastic thyroid tissues were also studied. We demonstrated both gene and protein expression and activation of MR in normal rat thyroid and human PTC lines. Incubation with Aldo induced an acute increase in IL-6 expression in both the FRTL-5 and BCPAP lines, which was antagonised by spironolactone, and an acute and late upregulation of thyroid-specific genes in FRTL-5. MR was also expressed at both gene and protein levels in normal human thyroid tissues and in PTC, with a progressive decline during neoplastic tumourigenesis, particularly in more aggressive histotypes. We present the first evidence of MR gene and protein expression in both normal and pathological thyroid cells and tissues. We have shown that MR is present and functionally activated in thyroid tissue. Binding of Aldo to MR induces the expression of inflammatory and thyroid-specific genes, and the thyroid may thus be considered a novel mineralocorticoid target tissue.

Molecular Theranostics in Radioiodine-Refractory Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is the most common subtype of thyroid cancer and has an excellent overall prognosis. However, metastatic DTC in certain cases may have a poor prognosis as it becomes radioiodine-refractory. Molecular imaging is essential for disease evaluation and further management. The most commonly used tracers are [18F]FDG and isotopes of radioiodine. Several other radiopharmaceuticals may be used as well, with different diagnostic performances. This review article aims to summarize radiopharmaceuticals used in patients with radioiodine-refractory DTC (RAI-R DTC), focusing on their different molecular pathways. Additionally, it will demonstrate possible applications of the theranostics approach to this subgroup of metastatic DTC.

Deep Learning Prediction of TERT Promoter Mutation Status in Thyroid Cancer Using Histologic Images

Background and objectives: Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter mutation, found in a subset of patients with thyroid cancer, is strongly associated with aggressive biologic behavior. Predicting TERT promoter mutation is thus necessary for the prognostic stratification of thyroid cancer patients. Materials and Methods: In this study, we evaluate TERT promoter mutation status in thyroid cancer through the deep learning approach using histologic images. Our analysis included 13 consecutive surgically resected thyroid cancers with TERT promoter mutations (either C228T or C250T) and 12 randomly selected surgically resected thyroid cancers with a wild-type TERT promoter. Our deep learning model was created using a two-step cascade approach. First, tumor areas were identified using convolutional neural networks (CNNs), and then TERT promoter mutations within tumor areas were predicted using the CNN–recurrent neural network (CRNN) model. Results: Using the hue–saturation–value (HSV)-strong color transformation scheme, the overall experiment results show 99.9% sensitivity and 60% specificity (improvements of approximately 25% and 37%, respectively, compared to image normalization as a baseline model) in predicting TERT mutations. Conclusions: Highly sensitive screening for TERT promoter mutations is possible using histologic image analysis based on deep learning. This approach will help improve the classification of thyroid cancer patients according to the biologic behavior of tumors.

In silico Screening and Validation of Achyranthes aspera as a Potential Inhibitor of BRAF and NRAS in Controlling Thyroid Cancer

BACKGROUND

Thyroid carcinoma (THCA) is one of the most prevalent endocrine tumors, accounting for 3.4% of all cancers diagnosed annually. Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) are the most prevalent genetic variation associated with thyroid cancer. Understanding thyroid cancer genetics will enhance diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.

METHODS

This TCGA-based study analyzes thyroid cancer-associated highly mutated genes through highly robust in silico techniques. Pathway, gene expression, and survival studies were performed on the top 10 highly mutated genes (BRAF, NRAS, TG, TTN, HRAS, MUC16, ZFHX3, CSMD2, EIFIAX, SPTA1). Novel natural compounds from Achyranthes aspera Linn were discovered to target two highly mutated genes. The natural compounds and synthetic drugs used to treat thyroid cancer were subjected to comparative molecular docking against BRAF and NRAS targets. The ADME characteristics of Achyranthes aspera Linn compounds were also investigated.

RESULTS

The gene expression analysis revealed that the expression of ZFHX3, MCU16, EIF1AX, HRAS, and NRAS was up-regulated in tumor cells while BRAF, TTN, TG, CSMD2, and SPTA1 were down-regulated in tumor cells. In addition, the protein-protein interaction network demonstrated that HRAS, BRAF, NRAS, SPTA1, and TG proteins have strong interactions with each other as compared to other genes. The ADMET analysis shows that seven compounds have druglike properties. These compounds were further studied for molecular docking studies. The compounds MPHY012847, IMPHY005295, and IMPHY000939 show higher binding affinity with BRAF than pimasertib. In addition, IMPHY000939, IMPHY000303, IMPHY012847, and IMPHY005295 showed a better binding affinity with NRAS than Guanosine Triphosphate.

CONCLUSION

The outcomes of docking experiments conducted on BRAF and NRAS provide insight into natural compounds with pharmacological characteristics. These findings indicate that natural compounds derived from plants as a more promising cancer treatment option. Thus, the results of docking investigations conducted on BRAF and NRAS substantiate the conclusions that the molecule possesses the most suited drug-like qualities. Compared to other compounds, natural compounds are superior, and they are also druggable. This demonstrates that natural plant compounds can be an excellent source of potential anti-cancer agents. The preclinical research will pave the road for a possible anti-cancer agent.

Multifunctional Phase-Transition Nanoparticles for Effective Targeted Sonodynamic-Gene Therapy Against Thyroid Papillary Carcinoma

Introduction

In order to diagnose and treat papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) accurately, phase-transition nanoparticles, P@IP-miRNA (PFP@IR780/PLGA-bPEI-miRNA338-3p), was engineered. The nanoparticles (NPs) can target the tumor cells, realize the multimodal imaging, and provide sonodynamic-gene therapy for PTC.

Methods

P@IP-miRNA NPs were synthesized through double emulsification method, and miRNA338-3p was attached to the surface of the NPs by electrostatic adsorption. The characterization of NPs was detected to screen out qualified nanoparticles. In vitro, laser confocal microscopy and flow cytometry were used to detect the targeting and subcellular localization of NPs. Western blot, qRT-PCR, and immunofluorescence were used to detect the ability to transfect miRNA. CCK8 kit, laser confocal microscopy and flow cytometry were used to detect the inhibition on TPC-1 cells. In vivo experiments were performed based on tumor-bearing nude mice. The efficacy of combined treatment by NPs was comprehensively evaluated, and the multimodal imaging ability of NPs in vivo and in vitro was detected.

Results

P@IP-miRNA NPs were successfully synthesized which have spherical shape, uniform size, good dispersion and positive potential. The encapsulation rate of IR780 was (82.58±3.92) %, the drug loading rate was (6.60±0.32) %, and the adsorption capacity of miRNA338-3p was 41.78 μg/mg. NPs have excellent tumor targeting ability, miRNA transfection ability, ROS production ability and multimodal imaging ability in vivo and in vitro. The antitumor effect of combined treatment group was the best, and the efficacy was better than that of single factor treatment group, and the difference was statistically significant.

Conclusion

P@IP-miRNA NPs can realize multimodal imaging and sonodynamic-gene therapy, providing a new idea for accurate diagnosis and treatment of PTC.