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Febrero B, Ruiz-Manzanera JJ, Ros-Madrid I, Hernández AM, Orenes-Piñero E, Rodríguez JM. Tumor microenvironment in thyroid cancer: Immune cells, patterns, and novel treatments. Head Neck 2024; 46:1486-1499. [PMID: 38380767 DOI: 10.1002/hed.27695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The tumor immune microenvironment of thyroid cancer is the heterogeneous histological space in which tumor cells coexist with host cells. Published data from this review were identified by search and selection database of Pubmed, Elsevier, and Science Direct. Searching was made in two steps using different keywords. In thyroid pathology, the inflammatory response is very important, and might have a key role finding new diagnostic and therapeutic methods, particularly in thyroid cancer. Different immune cells may be more or less present in different types of thyroid cancer and may even have different functions, hence the importance of knowing their presence in different thyroid tumor pathologies. Cancer-related inflammation could be a useful target for new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies by analyzing peritumoral and intratumoral immune cells in different types of thyroid tumors. Moreover, novel strategies for thyroid cancer treatments, such as monoclonal antibodies targeting checkpoint inhibitors, are emerging as promising alternatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Febrero
- Department of Endocrine Surgery, General Surgery Service, Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, Murcia, Spain
- Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain
| | - Juan José Ruiz-Manzanera
- Department of Endocrine Surgery, General Surgery Service, Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, Murcia, Spain
- Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Ros-Madrid
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, Murcia, Spain
| | - Antonio Miguel Hernández
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, Murcia, Spain
| | - Esteban Orenes-Piñero
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology-A, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - José Manuel Rodríguez
- Department of Endocrine Surgery, General Surgery Service, Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, Murcia, Spain
- Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain
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Weng D, He L, Chen X, Lin H, Ji D, Lu S, Ao L, Wang S. Integrated analysis of transcription factor-mRNA-miRNA regulatory network related to immune characteristics in medullary thyroid carcinoma. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1055412. [PMID: 36713370 PMCID: PMC9877459 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1055412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), a thyroid C cell-derived malignancy, is poorly differentiated and more aggressive than papillary, follicular and oncocytic types of thyroid cancer. The current therapeutic options are limited, with a third of population suffering resistance. The differential gene expression pattern among thyroid cancer subtypes remains unclear. This study intended to explore the exclusive gene profile of MTC and construct a comprehensive regulatory network via integrated analysis, to uncover the potential key biomarkers. Methods Multiple datasets of thyroid and other neuroendocrine tumors were obtained from GEO and TCGA databases. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) specific in MTC were identified to construct a transcription factor (TF)-mRNA-miRNA network. The impact of the TF-mRNA-miRNA network on tumor immune characteristics and patient survival was further explored by single-sample GSEA (ssGSEA) and ESTIMATE algorithms, as well as univariate combined with multivariate analyses. RT-qPCR, cell viability and apoptosis assays were performed for in vitro validation. Results We identified 81 genes upregulated and 22 downregulated in MTC but not in other types of thyroid tumor compared to the normal thyroid tissue. According to the L1000CDS2 database, potential targeting drugs were found to reverse the expressions of DEGs, with panobinostat (S1030) validated effective for tumor repression in MTC by in vitro experiments. The 103 DEGs exclusively seen in MTC were involved in signal release, muscle contraction, pathways of neurodegeneration diseases, neurotransmitter activity and related amino acid metabolism, and cAMP pathway. Based on the identified 15 hub genes, a TF-mRNA-miRNA linear network, as well as REST-cored coherent feed-forward loop networks, namely REST-KIF5C-miR-223 and REST-CDK5R2-miR-130a were constructed via online prediction and validation by public datasets and our cohort. Hub-gene, TF and miRNA scores in the TF-mRNA-miRNA network were related to immune score, immune cell infiltration and immunotherapeutic molecules in MTC as well as in neuroendocrine tumor of lung and neuroblastoma. Additionally, a high hub-gene score or a low miRNA score indicated good prognoses of neuroendocrine tumors. Conclusion The present study uncovers underlying molecular mechanisms and potential immunotherapy-related targets for the pathogenesis and drug discovery of MTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danfeng Weng
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Long He
- Department of Pain, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiangna Chen
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Huangfeng Lin
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Daihan Ji
- Department of Bioinformatics, Fujian Key Laboratory of Medical Bioinformatics, School of Medical Technology and Engineering, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Shuting Lu
- Department of Bioinformatics, Fujian Key Laboratory of Medical Bioinformatics, School of Medical Technology and Engineering, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Lu Ao
- Department of Bioinformatics, Fujian Key Laboratory of Medical Bioinformatics, School of Medical Technology and Engineering, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China,*Correspondence: Shenglin Wang, ; Lu Ao,
| | - Shenglin Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China,Department of Bioinformatics, Fujian Key Laboratory of Medical Bioinformatics, School of Medical Technology and Engineering, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China,*Correspondence: Shenglin Wang, ; Lu Ao,
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3
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Guan Z, Sun Y, Mu L, Jiang Y, Fan J. Tenascin-C promotes bladder cancer progression and its action depends on syndecan-4 and involves NF-κB signaling activation. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:240. [PMID: 35246056 PMCID: PMC8896393 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-09285-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Bladder Cancer (BCa) is a severe genitourinary tract disease with an uncertain pathology. Increasing evidence indicates that the tumor microenvironment plays a decisive role with respect to cancer progression, and that this is driven by tumor cell interactions with stromal components. Tenascin-C (TN-C) is an important extracellular matrix (ECM) component, which has been reported to be involved in other types of cancer, such as breast cancer. The expression of TN-C in BCa tissue has been reported to be positively associated with the BCa pathological grade, yet the presence of urine TN-C is considered as an independent risk factor for BCa. However, the role of TN-C in BCa progression is still unknow. Thus, the object of the present investigation is to determine the role of TN-C in BCa progression and the involved mechanism. Methods In this study, expression of TN-C in BCa tissue of Chinese local people was determined by IHC. Patients corresponding to tumor specimens were flowed up by telephone call to get their prognostic data and analyzed by using SPSS 19.0 statistic package. In vitro mechanistic investigation was demonstrated by QT-qPCR, Western Blot, Plasmid transfection to establishment of high/low TN-C-expression stable cell line, Boyden Chamber Assay, BrdU incorporation, Wound Healing, laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) and ELISA. Results TN-C expression in BCa tissue increases with tumor grade and is an independent risk factor for BCa patient. The in vitro investigation suggested that TN-C enhances BCa cell migration, invasion, proliferation and contributes to the elevated expression of EMT-related markers by activating NF-κB signaling, the mechanism of which involving in syndecan-4. Conclusions Expression of TN-C in BCa tissues of Chinese local people is increased according to tumor grade and is an independent risk factor. TN-C mediates BCa cell malignant behavior via syndecan-4 and NF-κB signaling. Although the mechanisms through which syndecan-4 is associated with the activation of NF-κB signaling are unclear, the data presented herein provide a foundation for future investigations into the role of TN-C in BCa progression. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-022-09285-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenfeng Guan
- Department of Urology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, 710068, China.,Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 277 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, 710061, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Sun
- Department of Urology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, 710068, China
| | - Liang Mu
- Department of B ultrasound, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, 710068, China
| | - Yazhuo Jiang
- Department of Urology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, 710068, China
| | - Jinhai Fan
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 277 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, 710061, People's Republic of China.
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Liu J, Dong S, Wang H, Li L, Ye Q, Li Y, Miao J, Jhiang S, Zhao J, Zhao Y. Two distinct E3 ligases, SCF FBXL19 and HECW1, degrade thyroid transcription factor 1 in normal thyroid epithelial and follicular thyroid carcinoma cells, respectively. FASEB J 2019; 33:10538-10550. [PMID: 31238008 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201900415r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF1) regulates the tissue-specific expression of genes. However, the molecular regulation of TTF1 in thyroid normal and carcinoma cells has not been revealed. Here we identify 2 distinct ubiquitin E3 ligases that are responsible for TTF1 degradation in normal thyroid cells and carcinoma cells, respectively. Phorbol myristate acetate induced TTF1 protein degradation in the ubiquitin-proteasome system in both HTori3 thyroid follicular epithelial cells and follicular thyroid carcinoma 133 (FTC133) cells. Lysine 151 residue was identified as a ubiquitin acceptor site within TTF1 in both cell types. Overexpression of E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1 containing HECT, C2, and WW domain (HECW1) induced TTF1 degradation and ubiquitination in Htori3 cells but not in FTC133 cells. Overexpression of ubiquitin E3 ligase subunit FBXL19 increased TTF1 ubiquitination and degradation in FTC133 cells, but it had no effect on TTF1 levels in Htori3 cells. Overexpression of TTF1 increased thyroglobulin and sodium/iodide symporter mRNA levels, cell migration, and proliferation in HTori3 cells, whereas the effects were reversed by the overexpression of HECW1. This study reveals an undiscovered molecular mechanism by which TTF1 ubiquitination and degradation is regulated by different E3 ligases in thyroid normal and tumor cells.-Liu, J., Dong, S., Wang, H., Li, L., Ye, Q., Li, Y., Miao, J., Jhiang, S., Zhao, J., Zhao, Y. Two distinct E3 ligases, SCFFBXL19 and HECW1, degrade thyroid transcription factor 1 in normal thyroid epithelial and follicular thyroid carcinoma cells, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Liu
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Su Dong
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Department of Anesthesia, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Heather Wang
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Lian Li
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Qinmao Ye
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Yanhui Li
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Department of Anesthesia, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jiaxing Miao
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Sissy Jhiang
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Jing Zhao
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Yutong Zhao
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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Smith A, Galli M, Piga I, Denti V, Stella M, Chinello C, Fusco N, Leni D, Manzoni M, Roversi G, Garancini M, Pincelli AI, Cimino V, Capitoli G, Magni F, Pagni F. Molecular signatures of medullary thyroid carcinoma by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry imaging. J Proteomics 2018; 191:114-123. [PMID: 29581064 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2018.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Revised: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The main aim of the study was to assess the feasibility of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) in the pathological investigation of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma (MTC). Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples from seven MTC patients were analysed by MALDI-MSI in order to detect proteomic alterations within tumour lesions and to define the molecular profiles of specific findings, such as amyloid deposition and C cell hyperplasia (CCH). nLC-ESI MS/MS was employed for the identification of amyloid components and to select alternative proteomic markers of MTC pathogenesis. Results highlighted the potential of MALDI-MSI to confirm the classic immunohistochemical methods employed for the diagnosis of MTC, with good sensitivity and specificity. Intratumoural amyloid components were also detected and identified, and were characterised by calcitonin, apolipoprotein E, apolipoprotein IV, and vitronectin. The tryptic peptide profiles representative of MTC and CCH were distinctly different, with four alternative markers for MTC being detected; K1C18, and three histones (H2A, H3C, and H4). Finally, a further 115 proteins were identified through the nLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis alone, with moesin, veriscan, and lumican being selected due to their potential involvement in MTC pathogenesis. This approach represents a complimentary strategy that could be employed to detect new proteomic markers of MTC. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare endocrine malignancy that originates from the parafollicular C-cells of the thyroid. The diagnosis is typically established using a combination of fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of a suspicious nodule along with the demonstrable elevation of serum biomarkers, such as calcitonin and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Unfortunately, this combination is often associated with a high degree of false-positive results and this can lead to misdiagnosis and avoidable total thyroidectomy. The current study presents the potential role of MALDI-MSI in the search for new proteomic markers of MTC with diagnostic and prognostic significance. MALDI-MSI was capable of detecting the classic immunohistochemical markers employed for the diagnosis of MTC, with good sensitivity and specificity. Furthermore, the complementary combination of MALDI-MSI and nLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis, using a single tissue section, enabled further potential markers to be identified and their spatial localisation visualised within tumoural regions. Such findings could be a valuable starting point for further studies focused on confirming the data presented here using thyroid FNABs, with the final objective being to provide complimentary assistance for the detection of MTC during the pre-operative phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Smith
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Clinical Proteomics and Metabolomics Unit, Vedano al Lambro, Italy.
| | - Manuel Galli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Clinical Proteomics and Metabolomics Unit, Vedano al Lambro, Italy.
| | - Isabella Piga
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Clinical Proteomics and Metabolomics Unit, Vedano al Lambro, Italy; Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Section of Pathology, Monza, Italy.
| | - Vanna Denti
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Clinical Proteomics and Metabolomics Unit, Vedano al Lambro, Italy.
| | - Martina Stella
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Clinical Proteomics and Metabolomics Unit, Vedano al Lambro, Italy.
| | - Clizia Chinello
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Clinical Proteomics and Metabolomics Unit, Vedano al Lambro, Italy.
| | - Nicola Fusco
- Division of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
| | - Davide Leni
- Department of Radiology, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - Marco Manzoni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Section of Pathology, Monza, Italy
| | - Gaia Roversi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Section of Genomics, Monza, Italy.
| | | | | | - Vincenzo Cimino
- Department of Endocrinology, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - Giulia Capitoli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Section of Biostatistics, Monza, Italy.
| | - Fulvio Magni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Clinical Proteomics and Metabolomics Unit, Vedano al Lambro, Italy.
| | - Fabio Pagni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Section of Pathology, Monza, Italy.
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Castellone MD, Melillo RM. RET-mediated modulation of tumor microenvironment and immune response in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2). Endocr Relat Cancer 2018; 25:T105-T119. [PMID: 28931560 DOI: 10.1530/erc-17-0303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Medullary thyroid carcinomas (MTC) arise from thyroid parafollicular, calcitonin-producing C-cells and can occur either as sporadic or as hereditary diseases in the context of familial syndromes, including multiple endocrine neoplasia 2A (MEN2A), multiple endocrine neoplasia 2B (MEN2B) and familial MTC (FMTC). In a large fraction of sporadic cases, and virtually in all inherited cases of MTC, activating point mutations of the RET proto-oncogene are found. RET encodes for a receptor tyrosine kinase protein endowed with transforming potential on thyroid parafollicular cells. As in other cancer types, microenvironmental factors play a critical role in MTC. Tumor-associated extracellular matrix, stromal cells and immune cells interact and influence the behavior of cancer cells both in a tumor-promoting and in a tumor-suppressing manner. Several studies have shown that, besides the neoplastic transformation of thyroid C-cells, a profound modification of tumor microenvironment has been associated to the RET FMTC/MEN2-associated oncoproteins. They influence the surrounding stroma, activating cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), promoting cancer-associated inflammation and suppressing anti-cancer immune response. These mechanisms might be exploited to develop innovative anti-cancer therapies and novel prognostic tools in the context of familial, RET-associated MTC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rosa Marina Melillo
- Istituto di Endocrinologia ed Oncologia Sperimentale del CNR 'G. Salvatore'Naples, Italy
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie MedicheUniversity of Naples 'Federico II', Naples, Italy
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Grimm D. Current Knowledge in Thyroid Cancer-From Bench to Bedside. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18071529. [PMID: 28714875 PMCID: PMC5536017 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18071529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Revised: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/14/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Grimm
- Department of Biomedicine, Pharmacology, Aarhus University, Wilhelm Meyers Allé 4, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
- University Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Otto von Guericke University, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany.
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Abstract
Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is an uncommon neuroendocrine tumor arising from the C cells in the thyroid and accounts for about 5 % of all thyroid cancers. MTC exhibits more aggressive behavior than follicular tumors, with the majority of cases presenting with lymph node metastasis. It is particularly common among patients carrying germline RET mutations with almost 100 % penetrance. Because activating RET mutations occur in over 90 % of hereditary and 40 % of sporadic MTC, clinical trials of several RET-targeting multikinase inhibitors (MKIs) have resulted in FDA approval of vandetanib and cabozantinib for the treatment of MTC. Nevertheless, in light of significant individual differences in tumor behavior and treatment responses, there has been a persistent need for research efforts to decipher the molecular events within RET-driven or non-RET-driven tumors. Recently, the gene regulatory roles of microRNAs (miRNAs) in MTC have been studied extensively. Multiple miRNA deregulations have been discovered in MTC with potential prognostic and therapeutic implications. This review provides an overview of the basic pathology of MTC and an update on recent investigational progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Hsia Chu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Office K4/436 CSC-8550, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53792-8550, USA
| | - Ricardo V Lloyd
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Office K4/436 CSC-8550, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53792-8550, USA.
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