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Guo M, Sun Y, Wei Y, Xu J, Zhang C. Advances in targeted therapy and biomarker research in thyroid cancer. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1372553. [PMID: 38501105 PMCID: PMC10944873 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1372553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Driven by the intricacy of the illness and the need for individualized treatments, targeted therapy and biomarker research in thyroid cancer represent an important frontier in oncology. The variety of genetic changes associated with thyroid cancer demand more investigation to elucidate molecular details. This research is clinically significant since it can be used to develop customized treatment plans. A more focused approach is provided by targeted therapies, which target certain molecular targets such as mutant BRAF or RET proteins. This strategy minimizes collateral harm to healthy tissues and may also reduce adverse effects. Simultaneously, patient categorization based on molecular profiles is made possible by biomarker exploration, which allows for customized therapy regimens and maximizes therapeutic results. The benefits of targeted therapy and biomarker research go beyond their immediate clinical impact to encompass the whole cancer landscape. Comprehending the genetic underpinnings of thyroid cancer facilitates the creation of novel treatments that specifically target aberrant molecules. This advances the treatment of thyroid cancer and advances precision medicine, paving the way for the treatment of other cancers. Taken simply, more study on thyroid cancer is promising for better patient care. The concepts discovered during this investigation have the potential to completely transform the way that care is provided, bringing in a new era of personalized, precision medicine. This paradigm shift could improve the prognosis and quality of life for individuals with thyroid cancer and act as an inspiration for advances in other cancer types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Guo
- School of Nursing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuqi Sun
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuyao Wei
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jianxin Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Chun Zhang
- Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
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Gao Y, Tao W, Wang S, Duan R, Zhang Z. AKR1C3 silencing inhibits autophagy-dependent glycolysis in thyroid cancer cells by inactivating ERK signaling. Drug Dev Res 2024; 85:e22142. [PMID: 38349266 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.22142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Thyroid cancer is a highly differentiated and poorly malignant tumor. Interfering with glycolysis has become an effective means of controlling cancer progression and autophagy is negatively correlated with glycolysis. Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C3 (AKR1C3) has been demonstrated to be highly expressed in thyroid cancer tissue and the higher AKR1C3 expression predicted the worse prognosis. We aimed to explore whether AKR1C3 could affect thyroid cancer progression by regulating autophagy-dependent glycolysis. AKR1C3 expression in thyroid cancer cells was detected by western blot. Then, AKR1C3 was knocked down by transfection with short hairpin RNA specific to AKR1C3 in the absence or presence of 3-methyladenine (3-MA) or PMA treatment. Cell cycle and apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. Immunofluorescence staining was used to analyze LC3B expression. Extracellular acidification, glucose uptake and lactic acid secretion were detected. To evaluate the tumorigenicity of AKR1C3 insufficiency on thyroid cancer in vivo, TPC-1 cells with AKR1C3 knockdown were injected subcutaneously into nude mice. Then, cyclinD1 and Ki67 expression in tumorous tissues was measured by immunohistochemical analysis. Apoptosis was assessed by terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling staining. Additionally, the expression of proteins related to cell cycle, apoptosis, glycolysis, autophagy, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling in cells and tumor tissues was assessed by western blot. Highly expressed AKR1C3 was observed in thyroid cancer cells. AKR1C3 knockdown induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of TPC-1 cells. Besides, autophagy was activated and glycolysis was inhibited following AKR1C3 silencing, and 3-MA treatment restored the impacts of AKR1C3 silencing on glycolysis. The further experiments revealed that AKR1C3 insufficiency inhibited ERK signaling and PMA application reversed AKR1C3 silencing-induced autophagy in TPC-1 cells. The in vivo results suggested that AKR1C3 knockdown inhibited the development of subcutaneous TPC-1 tumors in nude mice and inactivated the ERK signaling. Collectively, AKR1C3 silencing inhibited autophagy-dependent glycolysis in thyroid cancer by inactivating ERK signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Gao
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Oncology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, China
| | - Weijie Tao
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Oncology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, China
| | - Shoujun Wang
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Oncology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, China
| | - Ran Duan
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Oncology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhendong Zhang
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Oncology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, China
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Brock P, Sevigny M, Liyanarachchi S, Comiskey DF, Li W, Saarinen S, Yilmaz AS, Nieminen AI, Ringel MD, Peltomäki P, Ollila S, Nieminen TT. PDPR Gene Variants Predisposing to Papillary Thyroid Cancer. Thyroid 2024. [PMID: 38062777 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2023.0560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Background: Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the predominant subtype of thyroid cancer (THCA), and it can cluster in families with an autosomal dominant (AD) inheritance pattern. The aim of this study was to identify novel genes and mechanisms underlying PTC susceptibility. Methods: Our previous investigation of 17 AD PTC families led us to conduct a deeper analysis on one family (Family Q) with whole-genome sequencing data from 3 PTC-affected individuals. In addition, 323 sporadic THCA cases from Avatar data and 12 familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) individuals with secondary THCA were screened for pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase regulatory (PDPR) variants. CRISPR-Cas9 was used to create PDPR-deficient THCA (TPC1) and transformed normal thyroid cell lines (N-Thyori3-1) to study the metabolic consequences of PDPR loss. Results: We found truncating PDPR splice donor variants (NM_017990.4:c.361 + 1G>C) in all affected PTC Family Q members, and another PDPR splice donor variant (NM_017990.4:c.443 + 1G>C) in a sporadic PTC case. In addition, an ultra-rare missense variant was found in an FAP-PTC patient. The PDPR-deficient cells presented with elevated phosphorylation of pyruvate dehydrogenase and altered glucose metabolism, implying that PDPR plays an essential part in regulating glucose metabolism in thyroid cells. Conclusions: Our finding of novel truncating germline variants in PDPR in Family Q and additional cohorts suggests a role for PDPR loss in PTC predisposition. Also, somatic and RNA sequencing from the thyroid carcinoma (Firehouse Legacy) data showed that PDPR gene expression is much lower in THCA tumor tissue compared with matching normal tissue. Thus, PDPR appears to have a loss of function effect on THCA tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Brock
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Myriam Sevigny
- Translational Cancer Medicine Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sandya Liyanarachchi
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Daniel F Comiskey
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Wei Li
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Saila Saarinen
- Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ayse Selen Yilmaz
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University, James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Anni I Nieminen
- FIMM Metabolomics Unit, Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Matthew D Ringel
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Päivi Peltomäki
- Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Saara Ollila
- Translational Cancer Medicine Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Taina T Nieminen
- Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Zhang X, Zhou J, Xie Z, Li X, Hu J, He H, Li Z. Exploring blood metabolites and thyroid disorders: a bidirectional mendelian randomization study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1270336. [PMID: 37876541 PMCID: PMC10591305 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1270336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Human blood metabolites have demonstrated close associations with thyroid disorders in observational studies. However, it's essential to determine whether these correlations imply causation. Mendelian Randomization (MR) offers a promising approach to investigate these patterns. Aims The primary aim of our investigation is to establish causality between blood metabolites and three thyroid disorders: TC, GD, and HT. Methods We employed a two-sample bidirectional MR analysis approach to assess the relationships between 452 blood metabolites and the three aforementioned thyroid disorders. Causal links were estimated using the IVW method, with sensitivity analyses conducted via MR-Egger, Weighted Median, and MR-PRESSO. We assessed potential heterogeneity and pleiotropy using MR-Egger intercept and Cochran's Q statistic. Additionally, we conducted pathway analysis to identify potential metabolic pathways. Results We found 46 metabolites that showed suggestive associations with thyroid disease risk, especially Aspartate (ORIVW=7.41; 95%CI: 1.51-36.27; PIVW=0.013) and C-glycosyltryptophan (ORIVW=0.04; 95%CI: 0.00-0.29; PIVW=0.001) impacted TC, Kynurenine (ORIVW=2.69; 95%CI: 1.08-6.66; PIVW=0.032) and 4-androsten-3beta,17beta-diol disulfate 2 (ORIVW=0.78; 95%CI: 0.48-0.91; PIVW=0.024) significantly impacted GD, and Alpha-ketoglutarate (ORIVW=46.89; 95%CI: 4.65-473.28; PIVW=0.001) and X-14189-leucylalanine (ORIVW=0.31; 95%CI: 0.15-0.64 PIVW=0.001) significantly impacted HT. We also detected 23 metabolites influenced by TC and GD. Multiple metabolic pathways have been found to be involved in thyroid disease. Conclusion Our MR findings suggest that the identified metabolites and pathways can serve as biomarkers for clinical thyroid disorder screening and prevention, while also providing new insights for future mechanistic exploration and drug target selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Zhang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Engineering Research Center of Applied Technology of Pharmacogenomics, Ministry of Education, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Department of General Surgery, The Second People’s Hospital of Hunan, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jiating Zhou
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Engineering Research Center of Applied Technology of Pharmacogenomics, Ministry of Education, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zilan Xie
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Engineering Research Center of Applied Technology of Pharmacogenomics, Ministry of Education, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xi Li
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Engineering Research Center of Applied Technology of Pharmacogenomics, Ministry of Education, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jiaqing Hu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Trauma Center, The Second People’s Hospital of Hunan, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Hengzheng He
- Department of General Surgery, The Second People’s Hospital of Hunan, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhi Li
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Engineering Research Center of Applied Technology of Pharmacogenomics, Ministry of Education, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
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Casas-Benito A, Martínez-Herrero S, Martínez A. Succinate-Directed Approaches for Warburg Effect-Targeted Cancer Management, an Alternative to Current Treatments? Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:2862. [PMID: 37345199 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15102862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Approximately a century ago, Otto Warburg discovered that cancer cells use a fermentative rather than oxidative metabolism even though the former is more inefficient in terms of energy production per molecule of glucose. Cancer cells increase the use of this fermentative metabolism even in the presence of oxygen, and this process is called aerobic glycolysis or the Warburg effect. This alternative metabolism is mainly characterized by higher glycolytic rates, which allow cancer cells to obtain higher amounts of total ATP, and the production of lactate, but there are also an activation of protumoral signaling pathways and the generation of molecules that favor cancer progression. One of these molecules is succinate, a Krebs cycle intermediate whose concentration is increased in cancer and which is considered an oncometabolite. Several protumoral actions have been associated to succinate and its role in several cancer types has been already described. Despite playing a major role in metabolism and cancer, so far, the potential of succinate as a target in cancer prevention and treatment has remained mostly unexplored, as most previous Warburg-directed anticancer strategies have focused on other intermediates. In this review, we aim to summarize succinate's protumoral functions and discuss the use of succinate expression regulators as a potential cancer therapy strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Casas-Benito
- Angiogenesis Group, Oncology Area, Center for Biomedical Research of La Rioja (CIBIR), 26006 Logroño, Spain
| | - Sonia Martínez-Herrero
- Angiogenesis Group, Oncology Area, Center for Biomedical Research of La Rioja (CIBIR), 26006 Logroño, Spain
| | - Alfredo Martínez
- Angiogenesis Group, Oncology Area, Center for Biomedical Research of La Rioja (CIBIR), 26006 Logroño, Spain
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Jingtai Z, Linfei H, Yuyang Q, Ning K, Xinwei Y, Xin W, Xianhui R, Dongmei H, Weiwei Y, Xiangrui M, Tianze Z, Wei W, Xiangqian Z. Targeting Aurora-A inhibits tumor progression and sensitizes thyroid carcinoma to Sorafenib by decreasing PFKFB3-mediated glycolysis. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:224. [PMID: 36990998 PMCID: PMC10060208 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05709-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
AbstractThyroid cancer (TC) is the most common endocrine tumor, amongst which anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is the most deadly. Aurora-A usually functions as oncogenes, and its inhibitor Alisertib exerts a powerful antitumor effect in various tumors. However, the mechanism of Aurora-A in regulating TC cell energy supply remains unclear. In the present study, we demonstrated the antitumor effect of Alisertib and an association between high Aurora-A expression and shorter survival. Multi-omics data and in vitro validation data suggested that Aurora-A induced PFKFB3-mediated glycolysis to increase ATP supply, which significantly upregulated the phosphorylation of ERK and AKT. Furthermore, the combination of Alisertib and Sorafenib had a synergistic effect, further confirmed in xenograft models and in vitro. Collectively, our study provides compelling evidence of the prognostic value of Aurora-A expression and suggests that Aurora-A upregulates PFKFB3-mediated glycolysis to enhance ATP supply and promote TC progression. Combining Alisertib with Sorafenib has huge prospects for application in treating advanced thyroid carcinoma.
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