ABCG2/BCRP gene expression is related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition inducer genes in a papillary thyroid carcinoma cell line (TPC-1)

Zinc finger proteins and ATP-binding cassette transporter-dependent multidrug resistance

BACKGROUND

Multidrug resistance (MDR) remains a significant challenge in cancer treatment, leading to poor clinical outcomes. Dysregulation of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters has been identified as a key contributor to MDR. Zinc finger proteins (ZNPs) are key regulators of transcription and have emerged as potential contributors to cancer drug resistance. Bridging the knowledge gap between ZNPs and MDR is essential to understand a source of heterogeneity in cancer treatment. This review sought to elucidate how different ZNPs modulate the transcriptional regulation of ABC genes, contributing to resistance to cancer therapies.

METHODS

The search was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE and Web of Science.

RESULTS

In addition to ABC-blockers, the transcriptional features regulated by ZNP are expected to play a role in reversing ABC-mediated MDR and predicting the efficacy of anticancer treatments. Among the ZNP-induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition, SNAIL, SLUG and Zebs have been identified as important factors in promoting MDR through activation of ATM, NFκB and PI3K/Akt pathways, exposing the metabolism to potential ZNP-MDR interactions. Additionally, nuclear receptors, such as VDR, ER and PXR have been found to modulate certain ABC regulations. Other C2H2-type zinc fingers, including Kruppel-like factors, Gli and Sp also have the potential to contribute to MDR.

CONCLUSION

Besides reviewing evidence on the effects of ZNP dysregulation on ABC-related chemoresistance in malignancies, significant markers of ZNP functions are discussed to highlight the clinical implications of gene-to-gene and microenvironment-to-gene interactions on MDR prospects. Future research on ZNP-derived biomarkers is crucial for addressing heterogeneity in cancer therapy.

Identification and Validation of Prognostic Related Hallmark ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters Associated With Immune Cell Infiltration Patterns in Thyroid Carcinoma

ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are a large superfamily of membrane proteins that facilitate the translocation of heterogeneous substrates. Studies indicate that ABC transporters may play important roles in various carcinomas. However, the correlation between ABC transporters and immunomodulation in thyroid carcinoma (TC), as well as the prognoses for this disease, is poorly understood.TC data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database were used to identify prognostic hallmark ABC transporters associated with immune cell infiltration patterns via multiple bioinformatic analyses. Thereafter, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to validate the expression of these selected hallmark ABC transporters in both TC and para-cancerous thyroid tissues. Of a total of 49 ABC transporters, five (ABCA8, ABCA12, ABCB6, ABCB8, and ABCC10) were identified as hallmark ABC transporters. All five were differentially expressed in TC and associated with the relapse-free survival rates of patients with TC. Immunoregulation by these five hallmark ABC transporters involved the modulation of various aspects of immune cell infiltration, such as hot or cold tumor subsets and the abundances of infiltrating immune cells, as well as specific immunomodulators and chemokines. Besides the diverse significantly correlated factors, the five hallmark ABC transporters and correlated genes were most highly enriched in plasma membrane, transporter activity, and transmembrane transport of small molecules. In addition, many chemicals, namely bisphenol A and vincristine, affected the expression of these five transporters. The qRT-PCR results of collected TC and para-cancerous thyroid tissues were consistent with those of TCGA. The findings in this study may reveal the role played by these five hallmark ABC transporters in regulating immune cell infiltration patterns in TC as well as the molecular mechanisms underlying their functions, leading to a better understanding of their potential prognostic and immunotherapeutic values.

TGF-β, to target or not to target; to prevent thyroid cancer progression?

Thyroid cancer (TC) is a common endocrine cancer with a rising incidence. Current treatment fails to eliminate aggressive thyroid tumours, prompting an investigation into the processes that cause disease progression. In this review, we provide insight into TGF-β driven epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), summarizing the current literature surrounding thyroid carcinogenesis, and discuss the potential for therapeutic strategies targeting the TGF-β signalling pathway. Understanding the underlying mechanisms that regulate cancer stem cell (CSC) growth and TGF-β signalling may provide novel therapeutic approaches for highly resistant TCs.

TGF-β/activin signaling promotes CDK7 inhibitor resistance in triple-negative breast cancer cells through upregulation of multidrug transporters

Cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7) is a master regulatory kinase that drives cell cycle progression and stimulates expression of oncogenes in a myriad of cancers. Inhibitors of CDK7 (CDK7i) are currently in clinical trials; however, as with many cancer therapies, patients will most likely experience recurrent disease due to acquired resistance. Identifying targets underlying CDK7i resistance will facilitate prospective development of new therapies that can circumvent such resistance. Here we utilized triple-negative breast cancer as a model to discern mechanisms of resistance as it has been previously shown to be highly responsive to CDK7 inhibitors. After generating cell lines with acquired resistance, high-throughput RNA sequencing revealed significant upregulation of genes associated with efflux pumps and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling pathways. Genetic silencing or pharmacological inhibition of ABCG2, an efflux pump associated with multidrug resistance, resensitized resistant cells to CDK7i, indicating a reliance on these transporters. Expression of activin A (INHBA), a member of the TGF-β family of ligands, was also induced, whereas its intrinsic inhibitor, follistatin (FST), was repressed. In resistant cells, increased phosphorylation of SMAD3, a downstream mediator, confirmed an increase in activin signaling, and phosphorylated SMAD3 directly bound the ABCG2 promoter regulatory region. Finally, pharmacological inhibition of TGF-β/activin receptors or genetic silencing of SMAD4, a transcriptional partner of SMAD3, reversed the upregulation of ABCG2 in resistant cells and phenocopied ABCG2 inhibition. This study reveals that inhibiting the TGF-β/Activin-ABCG2 pathway is a potential avenue for preventing or overcoming resistance to CDK7 inhibitors.

The Role of Snail-1 in Thyroid Cancer-What We Know So Far

Thyroid carcinomas, despite the usually indolent behaviour and relatively good overall prognosis, show a high tendency to gain invasive phenotype and metastasise in some cases. However, due to a relatively slow progression, the exact mechanisms governing the metastatic process of thyroid carcinomas, including the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), are poorly described. One of the best-known regulators of cancer invasiveness is Snail-1-a zinc-finger transcription factor that plays a key role as an EMT inducer. More and more attention is being paid to the role of Snail with regard to thyroid cancer development. Apart from the obvious implications in the EMT process, Snail-1 plays an important role in the regulation of chemoresistance of the thyroid cells and cancer stem cell (CSC) formation, and it also interacts with miRNA specific to the thyroid gland. The aim of this review was to summarise the knowledge on Snail-1, especially in the context of thyroid oncogenesis.

The Expression of Transcription Factors is Different in Papillary Thyroid Cancer Cells during TNF - α induced EMT

Proinflammatory factor tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is an important inflammatory mediators in tumor microenvironment and autoimmune diseases, it is highly expressed in many solid tumors and tumor microenvironment, showing a tumor promoting role. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying TNF-α-increased invasion of thyroid cancer are still not fully understood. In order to explore whether TNF-α plays a key role in the process of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), we used TNF-α to induce EMT in different PTC cell lines, and observed the expression of different transcription factors and signal pathways.

After TNF-α treatment, in TPC-1, Snail and ZEB2 mRNA levels did not change significantly, while Slug, Twist1, ZEB1 mRNA expression increased. In BCPAP, Snail mRNA level increased significantly (P < 0.01), while Twist1 showed a certain degree of increase only at the concentration of TNF - α 20 ng / ml (P < 0.01), but mRNA of Slug, ZEB1, ZEB2 showed no significant change. The expression of proteins was consistent with genes. The activation of different pathways did not show gene differences, and pathway inhibitors could reduce the invasion and metastasis of cells, but only NF-κB inhibitors could reverse the expression of transcription factors.

Expressions of Snail and Slug in different PTC cell lines were dependent on pro-oncogene mutation, but the pathway had no differences. The establishment of this study model can enrich the research on the pathogenesis and metastasis of thyroid cancer, effectively link the inflammatory microenvironment with the occurrence and development of thyroid cancer.

Mercury in the human thyroid gland: Potential implications for thyroid cancer, autoimmune thyroiditis, and hypothyroidism

Objective

Mercury and other toxic metals have been suggested to be involved in thyroid disorders, but the distribution and prevalence of mercury in the human thyroid gland is not known. We therefore used two elemental bio-imaging techniques to look at the distribution of mercury and other toxic metals in the thyroid glands of people over a wide range of ages.

Materials and methods

Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded thyroid tissue blocks were obtained from 115 people aged 1–104 years old, with varied clinicopathological conditions, who had thyroid samples removed during forensic/coronial autopsies. Seven-micron sections from these tissue blocks were used to detect intracellular inorganic mercury using autometallography. The presence of mercury was confirmed using laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry which can detect multiple elements.

Results

Mercury was found on autometallography in the thyroid follicular cells of 4% of people aged 1–29 years, 9% aged 30–59 years, and 38% aged 60–104 years. Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry confirmed the presence of mercury in samples staining with autometallography, and detected cadmium, lead, iron, nickel and silver in selected samples.

Conclusions

The proportion of people with mercury in their thyroid follicular cells increases with age, until it is present in over one-third of people aged 60 years and over. Other toxic metals in thyroid cells could enhance mercury toxicity. Mercury can trigger genotoxicity, autoimmune reactions, and oxidative damage, which raises the possibility that mercury could play a role in the pathogenesis of thyroid cancers, autoimmune thyroiditis, and hypothyroidism.

Growth Promotion and Increased ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters Expression by Liraglutide in Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cell Line MDA-MB-231

BACKGROUND

Glucagon-like petide-1 (GLP-1) agonists such as liraglutide are widely employed in type 2 diabetes due to their glucose reducing properties and small risk of hypoglycemia. Recently, it has been shown that GLP-1agonists can inhibit breast cancer cells growth. Nonetheless, concerns are remained about liraglutide tumor promoting effects as stated by population studies.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We evaluated the effects liraglutide on proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells by MTT assay and then ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters expressions assessed by Real time PCR. Statistical comparisons were made using one-way analysis of variance followed by a post hoc Dunnett test.

RESULTS

Here, we report that liraglutide can stimulate the growth of highly invasive triple negative cell line MDA-MB-231; which can be attributed to AMPK-dependent epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) happening in MDA-MB-231 context. Toxicity effects were only observed with concentrations far above the serum liraglutide concentration. ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters expressions were upregulated, indicating the possible drug resistance and increased EMT.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, these results suggest that liraglutide should be used with caution in patients who are suffering or have the personal history of triple negative breast cancer. However, more detailed studies are required to deepen understanding of liraglutide consequences in triple negative breast cancer. ▶Graphical Abstract.

Polydatin inhibits ZEB1-invoked epithelial-mesenchymal transition in fructose-induced liver fibrosis

High fructose intake is a risk factor for liver fibrosis. Polydatin is a main constituent of the rhizome of Polygonum cuspidatum, which has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat liver fibrosis. However, the underlying mechanisms of fructose-driven liver fibrosis as well as the actions of polydatin are not fully understood. In this study, fructose was found to promote zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) nuclear translocation, decrease microRNA-203 (miR-203) expression, increase survivin, activate transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad signalling, down-regulate E-cadherin, and up-regulate fibroblast specific protein 1 (FSP1), vimentin, N-cadherin and collagen I (COL1A1) in rat livers and BRL-3A cells, in parallel with fructose-induced liver fibrosis. Furthermore, ZEB1 nuclear translocation-mediated miR-203 low-expression was found to target survivin to activate TGF-β1/Smad signalling, causing the EMT in fructose-exposed BRL-3A cells. Polydatin antagonized ZEB1 nuclear translocation to up-regulate miR-203, subsequently blocked survivin-activated TGF-β1/Smad signalling, which were consistent with its protection against fructose-induced EMT and liver fibrosis. These results suggest that ZEB1 nuclear translocation may play an essential role in fructose-induced EMT in liver fibrosis by targeting survivin to activate TGF-β1/Smad signalling. The suppression of ZEB1 nuclear translocation by polydatin may be a novel strategy for attenuating the EMT in liver fibrosis associated with high fructose diet.

A miRNA-clinicopathological nomogram for the prediction of central lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma-analysis from TCGA database

It is of significance to evaluate central lymph node status in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), because it can decrease postoperative complications resulting from unnecessary prophylactic central lymph node dissection (CLND). Due to the low sensitivity and specificity of neck ultrasonography in the evaluation of central lymph node metastasis (CLNM), it is urgently required to find alternative biomarkers to predict CLNM in PTC patients, which is the main purpose of this study.RNA-sequencing datasets and clinical data of 506 patients with thyroid carcinoma from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database were downloaded and analyzed to identify differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs), which can independently predict CLNM in PTC. A nomogram predictive of CLNM was developed based on clinical characteristics and the identified miRNAs. Receiver operating characteristics curves were drawn to evaluate the predictive performance of the nomogram. Bioinformatics analyses, including target genes identification, functional enrichment analysis, and protein-protein interaction network, were performed to explore the potential roles of the identified DEMs related to CLNM in PTC.A total of 316 PTC patients were included to identify DEMs. Two hundred thirty-seven (75%) PTC patients were randomly selected from the 316 patients as a training set, while the remaining 79 (25%) patients were regarded as a testing set for validation. Two DEMs, miRNA-146b-3p (HR: 1.327, 95% CI = 1.135-1.551, P = .000) and miRNA-363-3p (HR: 0.714, 95% CI = 0.528-0.966, P = .029), were significantly associated with CLNM. A risk score based on these 2 DEMs and calculating from multivariate logistic regression analysis, was significantly lower in N0 group over N1a group in both training (N0 vs N1a: 2.04 ± 1.01 vs 2.73 ± 0.61, P = .000) and testing (N0 vs N1a: 2.20 ± 0.93 vs 2.79 ± 0.68, P = .003) sets. The nomogram including risk score, age, and extrathyroidal extension (ETE) was constructed in the training set and was then validated in the testing set, which showed better prediction value than the other three predictors (risk score, age, and ETE) in terms of CLNM identification. Bioinformatics analyses revealed that 5 hub genes, SLC6A1, SYT1, COL19A1, RIMS2, and COL1A2, might involve in pathways including extracellular matrix organization, ion transmembrane transporter activity, axon guidance, and ABC transporters.On the basis of this study, the nomogram including risk score, age, and ETE showed good prediction of CLNM in PTC, which has a potential to facilitate individualized decision for surgical plans.

Inhibition of Migration, Invasion and Drug Resistance of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Cells - Role of Snail, Slug and Twist and Small Molecule Inhibitors

PURPOSE

The main purpose of this study is to demonstrate the effects of epithelial to mesenchymal transition activating transcription factor silencing (EMT-ATF silencing) on migration, invasion, drug resistance and tumor-forming abilities of various pancreatic cancer cell lines. Additionally, the contribution of small molecule inhibitors of EMT (SD-208 and CX4945) to the effects of gene silencing was evaluated.

METHODS

EMT activating transcription factors "Snail, Slug and Twist" were silenced by short hairpins on Panc-1, MIA PaCa-2, BxPC-3, and AsPC-1 pancreatic cancer cell lines. The changes in migration, invasion, laminin attachment, cancer stem-like cell properties and tumor-forming abilities were investigated. Chemosensitivity assays and small molecule inhibitors of EMT were applied to the metastatic pancreatic cancer cell line AsPC-1.

RESULTS

EMT-ATF silencing reduced EMT and stem cell-like characteristics of pancreatic cancer cell lines. Following EMT-ATF silencing amongst the four PC cell lines, AsPC-1 showed the best response and was chosen for further chemoresistance and combinational therapy applications. EMT downregulated AsPC-1 cells showed less resistance to select chemotherapeutics compared to the control group. Both small molecule inhibitors enhanced the outcomes of EMT-ATF silencing.

CONCLUSION

Overall it was found that EMT-ATF silencing, either by EMT-ATF silencing or with the enhancement by small molecules, is a good candidate to treat pancreatic cancer since it simultaneously minimizes metastasis, stem cell properties, and drug resistance.

Cancer Stem Cells in Thyroid Tumors: From the Origin to Metastasis

Thyroid tumors are extremely heterogeneous varying from almost benign tumors with good prognosis as papillary or follicular tumors, to the undifferentiated ones with severe prognosis. Recently, several models of thyroid carcinogenesis have been described, mostly hypothesizing a major role of the thyroid cancer stem cell (TCSC) population in both cancer initiation and metastasis formation. However, the cellular origin of TCSC is still incompletely understood. Here, we review the principal epigenetic mechanisms relevant to TCSC origin and maintenance in both well-differentiated and anaplastic thyroid tumors. Specifically, we describe the alterations in DNA methylation, histone modifiers, and microRNAs (miRNAs) involved in TCSC survival, focusing on the potential of targeting aberrant epigenetic modifications for developing novel therapeutic approaches. Moreover, we discuss the bidirectional relationship between TCSCs and immune cells. The cells of innate and adaptive response can promote the TCSC-driven tumorigenesis, and conversely, TCSCs may favor the expansion of immune cells with protumorigenic functions. Finally, we evaluate the role of the tumor microenvironment and the complex cross-talk of chemokines, hormones, and cytokines in regulating thyroid tumor initiation, progression, and therapy refractoriness. The re-education of the stromal cells can be an effective strategy to fight thyroid cancer. Dissecting the genetic and epigenetic landscape of TCSCs and their interactions with tumor microenvironment cells is urgently needed to select more appropriate treatment and improve the outcome of patients affected by advanced differentiated and undifferentiated thyroid cancers.

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in thyroid cancer: a comprehensive review

The Metastatic progression of solid tumors, such as thyroid cancer is a complex process which involves various factors. Current understanding on the role of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in thyroid carcinomas suggests that EMT is implicated in the progression from follicular thyroid cancer (FTC) and papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) to poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) and anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC). According to the literature, the initiation of the EMT program in thyroid epithelial cells elevates the number of stem cells, which contribute to recurrent and metastatic diseases. The EMT process is orchestrated by a complex network of transcription factors, growth factors, signaling cascades, epigenetic modulations, and the tumor milieu. These factors have been shown to be dysregulated in thyroid carcinomas. Therefore, molecular interferences restoring the expression of tumor suppressors, or thwarting overexpressed oncogenes is a hopeful therapeutic method to improve the treatment of progressive diseases. In this review, we summarize the recent findings on EMT in thyroid cancer focusing on the main role-players and regulators of this process in thyroid tumors.

Drug resistance and combating drug resistance in cancer

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the US. Current major treatments for cancer management include surgery, cytotoxic chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, endocrine therapy and immunotherapy. Despite the endeavors and achievements made in treating cancers during the past decades, resistance to classical chemotherapeutic agents and/or novel targeted drugs continues to be a major problem in cancer therapies. Drug resistance, either existing before treatment (intrinsic) or generated after therapy (acquired), is responsible for most relapses of cancer, one of the major causes of death of the disease. Heterogeneity among patients and tumors, and the versatility of cancer to circumvent therapies make drug resistance more challenging to deal with. Better understanding the mechanisms of drug resistance is required to provide guidance to future cancer treatment and achieve better outcomes. In this review, intrinsic and acquired resistance will be discussed. In addition, new discoveries in mechanisms of drug resistance will be reviewed. Particularly, we will highlight roles of ATP in drug resistance by discussing recent findings of exceptionally high levels of intratumoral extracellular ATP as well as intracellular ATP internalized from extracellular environment. The complexity of drug resistance development suggests that combinational and personalized therapies, which should take ATP into consideration, might provide better strategies and improved efficacy for fighting drug resistance in cancer.

Cross-Talk between Inflammatory Mediators and the Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition Process in the Development of Thyroid Carcinoma

There is strong association between inflammatory processes and their main metabolic mediators, such as leptin, adiponectin secretion, and low/high-density lipoproteins, with the cancer risk and aggressive behavior of solid tumors. In this scenario, cancer cells (CCs) and cancer stem cells (CSCs) have important roles. These cellular populations, which come from differentiated cells and progenitor stem cells, have increased metabolic requirements when it comes to maintaining or expanding the tumors, and they serve as links to some inflammatory mediators. Although the molecular mechanisms that are involved in these associations remain unclear, the two following cellular pathways have been suggested: 1) the mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) process, which permits the differentiation of adult stem cells throughout the acquisition of cell polarity and the adhesion to epithelia, as well to new cellular lineages (CSCs); and, 2) a reverse process, termed the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), where, in pathophysiological conditions (tissue injury, inflammatory process, and oxidative stress), the differentiated cells can acquire a multipotent stem cell-like phenotype. The molecular mechanisms that regulate both EMT and MET are complex and poorly understood. Especially, in the thyroid gland, little is known regarding MET/EMT and the role of CCs or CSCs, providing an exciting, new area of knowledge to be investigated. This article reviews the progress to date in research on the role of inflammatory mediators and metabolic reprogramming during the carcinogenesis process of the thyroid gland and the EMT pathways.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition: potential regulator of ABC transporters in tumor progression

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) can directly contribute to some malignant phenotypes of tumor cells including invasion, metastasis and resistance to chemotherapy. Although EMT is widely demonstrated to play a critical role in chemoresistance and metastasis, the potential signaling network between EMT and drug resistance is still unclear. The distribution of drugs in the internal and external environment of the tumor cells is tightly linked with ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. Recent studies have shown that ABC transporters expression changed continuously during EMT. We believe that EMT is an important regulator of ABC transporters. In this review, we discuss how EMT regulates ABC transporters and their potential linkages. And we hope the knowledge of EMT and ABC transporters will offer more effective targets to experimental research.

Expression of MRP1 and ABCG2 is associated with adverse clinical outcomes of papillary thyroid carcinoma with a solid component

Solid variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is characterized by a solid component (SC) retaining classical cytological features of PTC. Despite some controversies, PTC with SC (PTCSC) cases have poor prognosis compared with well-differentiated PTC. We investigated if cancer stem cells (CSCs) may have a role in pathogenesis of PTCSC. PTCSC tumors (n=27) were histologically represented by a mixture of papillary component (PC) and varying degrees of SC involving 10% to 85% of the tumor. Immunohistochemical expression of CSC markers ABCG2 and MRP1, and HBME1 and CK19 was compared between SC and PC within each tumor in association with clinicopathological parameters. ABCG2 and MRP1 were highly expressed in SC, whereas their expression was limited or absent in PC (P=.04 and .002, respectively). In contrast, expression of HBME1 and CK19 appeared higher in PC than in SC (P=.08 and .02, respectively). Higher expression of ABCG2 was associated with higher incidence of large-sized SC (P=.01). Higher expression of MRP1 was associated with higher incidence of lymphovascular invasion (P=.049). Higher expression of ABCG2 and MRP1, and lower expression of CK19 in SC were associated with higher tumor recurrence rate (P=.02, .01, and .02, respectively), and shorter disease-free survival (P<.001 for all the variables). Our findings indicate that the tumor cells harboring CSC-like characteristics in SC could contribute to the pathogenesis of PTCSC and might account for the poor disease prognosis.

SP600125 has a remarkable anticancer potential against undifferentiated thyroid cancer through selective action on ROCK and p53 pathways

Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy with increasing incidence worldwide.

The majority of thyroid cancer cases are well differentiated with favorable outcome. However, undifferentiated thyroid cancers are one of the most lethal human malignancies because of their invasiveness, metastatization and refractoriness even to the most recently developed therapies.

In this study we show for the first time a significant hyperactivation of ROCK/HDAC6 pathway in thyroid cancer tissues, and its negative correlation with p53 DNA binding ability.

We demonstrate that a small compound, SP600125 (SP), is able to induce cell death selectively in undifferentiated thyroid cancer cell lines by specifically acting on the pathogenic pathways of cancer development. In detail, SP acts on the ROCK/HDAC6 pathway involved in dedifferentiation and invasiveness of undifferentiated human cancers, by restoring its physiological activity level. As main consequence, cancer cell migration is inhibited and, at the same time, cell death is induced through the mitotic catastrophe. Moreover, SP exerts a preferential action on the mutant p53 by increasing its DNA binding ability. In TP53-mutant cells that survive mitotic catastrophe this process results in p21 induction and eventually lead to premature senescence. In conclusion, SP has been proved to be able to simultaneously block cell replication and migration, the two main processes involved in cancer development and dissemination, making it an ideal candidate for developing new drugs against anaplastic thyroid cancer.

Targeting CD44, ABCG2 and CD133 markers using aptamers: in silico analysis of CD133 extracellular domain 2 and its aptamer

Truncated CSC marker aptamers penetrate tumor spheres and inhibits cell proliferation; a bioinformatics approach to decipher their structural interactions.

Differential protein expression profiles of cyst fluid from papillary thyroid carcinoma and benign thyroid lesions

Cystic papillary thyroid carcinoma (cPTC) is a subgroup of PTC presenting a diagnostic challenge at fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). To further investigate this entity we aimed to characterize protein profiles of cyst fluids from cPTC and benign thyroid cystic lesions. In total, 20 cPTCs and 56 benign thyroid cystic lesions were studied. Profiling by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was performed on cyst fluids from a subset of cases after depletion, and selected proteins were further analyzed by Western blot (WB), immunohistochemistry (IHC) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A total of 1,581 proteins were detected in cyst fluids, of which 841 were quantified in all samples using LC-MS/MS. Proteins with different expression levels between cPTCs and benign lesions were identified by univariate analysis (41 proteins) and multivariate analysis (59 proteins in an orthogonal partial least squares model). WB analyses of cyst fluid and IHC on corresponding tissue samples confirmed a significant up-regulation of cytokeratin 19 (CK-19/CYFRA 21-1) and S100A13 in cPTC vs. benign lesions. These findings were further confirmed by ELISA in an extended material of non-depleted cyst fluids from cPTCs (n = 17) and benign lesions (n = 55) (p<0.05). Applying a cut-off at >55 ng/ml for CK-19 resulted in 82% specificity and sensitivity. For S100A13 a cut-off at >230 pg/ml revealed a 94% sensitivity, but only 35% specificity. This is the first comprehensive catalogue of the protein content in fluid from thyroid cysts. The up-regulations of CK-19 and S100A13 suggest their possible use in FNAB based preoperative diagnostics of cystic thyroid lesions.