Spanish consensus for the management of patients with anaplastic cell thyroid carcinoma

Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma: An Update

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is a rare and undifferentiated form of thyroid cancer. Its prognosis is poor: the median overall survival (OS) of patients varies from 4 to 10 months after diagnosis. However, a doubling of the OS time may be possible owing to a more systematic use of molecular tests for targeted therapies and integration of fast-track dedicated care pathways for these patients in tertiary centers. The diagnostic confirmation, if needed, requires an urgent biopsy reread by an expert pathologist with additional immunohistochemical and molecular analyses. Therapeutic management, defined in multidisciplinary meetings, respecting the patient's choice, must start within days following diagnosis. For localized disease diagnosed after primary surgical treatment, adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy is recommended. In the event of locally advanced or metastatic disease, the prognosis is very poor. Treatment should then involve chemotherapy or targeted therapy and decompressive cervical radiotherapy. Here we will review current knowledge on ATC and provide perspectives to improve the management of this deadly disease.

The emerging function and clinical significance of circRNAs in Thyroid Cancer and Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases

Thyroid cancer (TC) is one of the most common malignant tumors, with high morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. The incidence of TC, especially that of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC); has increased rapidly in recent decades. Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) is closely related to TC and has an estimated prevalence of 5%. Thus, it is becoming increasingly important to identify potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for TC and AITD. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs with covalently bonded circular structures that lack 5'-3' polarity and polyadenylated tails. Several circRNAs play crucial roles in the development of various diseases, including TC and AITD, and could be important new biomarkers and/or targets for the diagnosis and therapy of such disorders. Although there are four subtypes of TC, research on circRNA has largely focused on its connection to PTC. Therefore, this review mainly summarizes the relationships between circRNAs and PTC and AITD, including the molecular mechanisms underlying these relationships. In particular, the functions of “miRNA sponges” and their interactions with proteins and RNA are discussed. The possible targeting of circRNAs for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of TC and AITD is also described. CircRNAs could be potential biomarkers of TC and AITD, although validation will be required before they can be implemented in clinical practice.

1,25‑Dihydroxyvitamin D3 enhances the susceptibility of anaplastic thyroid cancer cells to adriamycin‑induced apoptosis by increasing the generation of reactive oxygen species

Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is a very aggressive malignancy that is resistant to various types of chemotherapy in humans. Most patients with late-stage ATC cannot undergo surgery and receive chemotherapy drugs. The present study investigated the influence of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ (1,25(OH)₂D₃) pretreatment on adriamycin (ADM) chemotherapy efficacy in the 8305c and 8505c ATC cell lines. The apoptotic effects of ADM on ATC cells pretreated with 1,25(OH)₂D₃ were evaluated. Cell viability was identified by using the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. Apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry and staining with Hoechst 33342. The expression of the apoptotic protein cleaved caspase-3 was tested with a colorimetric assay kit and by western blotting. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was assessed with the antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) and the assay H₂-DCFDA. In addition, ROS production could be reversed by NAC treatment. The present study demonstrated that 1,25(OH)₂D₃ enhanced ADM-induced apoptosis in 8305c and 8505c cell lines. Furthermore, 1,25(OH)₂D₃ improved the ADM-induced ROS production and expression of cleaved caspase-3. NAC treatment inhibited the expression of cleaved caspase-3 in ATC cells, and reduced apoptosis in cells that were pretreated with 1,25(OH)₂D₃ and ADM. These results demonstrated that 1,25(OH)₂D₃ may enhance ADM-induced apoptosis by increasing ROS generation in ATC cells.

Circular RNA EIF6 (Hsa_circ_0060060) sponges miR-144-3p to promote the cisplatin-resistance of human thyroid carcinoma cells by autophagy regulation

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) responds for the majority of death of thyroid carcinoma and often causes chemotherapy resistance. We investigated the influence of circEIF6 (Hsa_circ_0060060) on the cisplatin-sensitivity in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and ATC cells, and explored its regulation to downstream molecules miR-144-3p and Transforming Growth Factor α (TGF-α). Differentially expressed circRNAs in PTC were analyzed using the GSE93522 data downloaded. Expressions of circEIF6, miR-144-3p, TGF-α, autophagy-related proteins and apoptosis-related proteins were determined using qRT-PCR or western blot. RNA pull-down assay and dual luciferase report assay were applied to reveal the target relationships. Autophagy marker LC3 and cell proliferation marker ki67 were evaluated by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry. Cell viability was evaluated with MTT assay and cell apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometric analysis. CircEIF6, could promote autophagy induced by cisplatin, thus inhibiting cell apoptosis and enhancing the resistance of PTC and ATC cells to cisplatin. Has-miR-144-3p was the target of circEIF6 and was regulated by circEIF6. Besides, circEIF6 promoted autophagy by regulating miR-144-3p/TGF-α axis, enhancing the cisplatin-resistance in PTC and ATC cells. CircEIF6 promoted tumor growth by regulating miR-144-3p/TGF-α and circEIF6 knock-down enhanced cisplatin sensitivity in vivo. CircEIF6 could provide a target for therapy of cisplatin-resistance in thyroid carcinoma.