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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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Liu Q, Sun W, Zhang H. Roles and new Insights of Macrophages in the Tumor Microenvironment of Thyroid Cancer. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:875384. [PMID: 35479325 PMCID: PMC9035491 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.875384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Although most thyroid cancers have a good and predictable prognosis, the anaplastic, medullary, and refractory thyroid cancers still prone to recurrence and metastasis, resulting in poor prognosis. Although a number of newly developed targeted therapies have begun to be indicated for the above types of thyroid cancer in recent years, their ability to improve overall survival remain hindered by low efficacy. As the largest component of immune cells in tumor microenvironment, tumor-associated macrophages play a key role in the invasion and metastasis of thyroid cancer. There is much evidence that the immune system, tumor microenvironment and cancer stem cell interactions may revolutionize traditional therapeutic directions. Tumor-associated macrophages have been extensively studied in a variety of tumors, however, research on the relationship between thyroid cancer and macrophages is still insufficient. In this review, we summarize the functions of tumor-associated macrophages in different types of thyroid cancer, their cytokines or chemokines effect on thyroid cancer and the mechanisms that promote tumor proliferation and migration. In addition, we discuss the mechanisms by which tumor-associated macrophages maintain the stemness of thyroid cancer and potential strategies for targeting tumor-associated macrophages to treat thyroid cancer.
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Absence of multinucleated giant cell reaction as an indicator of tumor progression in oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2021; 279:3123-3130. [PMID: 34689239 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-021-07139-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence and distribution of multinucleated giant cell (MGC) reactions in 61 cases of OTSCC and to verify the association of this microscopic finding with clinicopathological parameters (gender, age, tumor size/extent, regional lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, clinical stage, and histopathological grade of malignancy). METHODS Clinical data were collected from medical records and the histopathological grade of malignancy of OTSCCs was evaluated using the World Health Organization (WHO) grading system. The presence and distribution of MGC reaction in high power fields (HPFs) were evaluated in hematoxylin-eosin-stained histological sections. In all cases containing MGCs, immunohistochemical analysis for CD68 was performed in order to confirm the histiocytic nature of these cells. RESULTS Twenty-one (34.4%) cases had MGC reactions, with a higher frequency of the focal distribution pattern (57.1%). All MGCs were immunohistochemically positive for CD68. The absence of MGC reaction was significantly associated with regional lymph node metastasis (PR: 2.75; 95% CI 1.05-7.20; p = 0.027), advanced clinical stage (PR: 3.37; 95% CI 1.28-8.85; p = 0.006), and moderately/poorly differentiated tumors (PR: 3.36; 95% CI 1.51-7.48; p = 0.001). No significant associations were observed between the distribution of MGCs and clinicopathological parameters (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION Taken together, the results of this study suggest that the absence of MGC reaction may represent an indicator of tumor progression in OTSCCs.
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Kovacevic B, Vucevic D, Cerovic S, Eloy C. Peripheral Versus Intraparenchymal Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma: Different Morphologies and PD-L1 Expression. Head Neck Pathol 2021; 16:200-212. [PMID: 34076845 PMCID: PMC9018942 DOI: 10.1007/s12105-021-01337-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Peripheral localisation of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), in comparison with intraparenchymal PTMC (i-PTMC) is related to some clinicopathological features related with biological aggressiveness, including lymph node metastasis (LNM). The expression of PD-L1 in tumour cell has been associated with increased tumour survival, progression, and potentially an aggressive clinical course. This study evaluates the relation between clinicopathological features of PTMC, including tumour localisation, with PD-L1 immunoexpression. The study included 99 patients with the histological diagnosis of PTMC (≥ 5 mm). PD-L1 protein expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry. PTMCs were divided into the four following groups: G1- peripherally localised PTMC (p-PTMC) with PD-L1 expression; G2-p-PTMC without PD-L1 expression; G3-i-PTMC with PD-L1 expression and G4-i-PTMC without PD-L1 expression. G1 was the most frequent (n = 46; 46.5%), followed by G4 (n = 25; 25.3%) and similar distribution of G3 (n = 15; 15.2%) and G2 (n = 13; 13.1%). In comparison with other groups, G1 was significantly associated with classical morphology, invasive growth, lymphatic invasion (LI), vascular invasion (VI), psammoma bodies, intratumoral fibrosis, PD-L1 positive tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes, and multinuclear giant cells (MGCs). G4 more commonly exhibited follicular morphology, expansive/circumscribed growth, and absence of the following: intratumoural fibrosis, LI, VI, psammoma bodies, PD-L1 positive tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes, and MGCs. LNMs were significantly more frequent in G1 in comparison with the other groups (p = 0.000). In conclusion, morphology and tumour microenvironment of p-PTMC with PD-L1 expression is different from i-PTMC without PD-L1 expression. The differences between these two groups of PTMC include clinicopathological features related with biological aggressiveness such as the occurrence of LNM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bozidar Kovacevic
- Institute of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Military Medical Academy, Crnotravska 17, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dragana Vucevic
- Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy – INEP, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Snezana Cerovic
- Institute of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Military Medical Academy, Crnotravska 17, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Catarina Eloy
- Ipatimup Diagnostics, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of Porto University, Ipatimup, Porto, Portugal ,Medical Faculty, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal ,Instituto de Investigação E Inovação Em Saúde (i3S), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Qian X, Tang J, Li L, Chen Z, Chen L, Chu Y. A new ferroptosis-related gene model for prognostic prediction of papillary thyroid carcinoma. Bioengineered 2021; 12:2341-2351. [PMID: 34077308 PMCID: PMC8806743 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2021.1935400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is a highly heterogeneous malignancy with diverse prognoses. Ferroptosis is a new type of cell death dependent on iron. Nevertheless, the predictive ability of ferroptosis-related genes for PTC is unclear. Based on the mRNA expression information from The Cancer Genome Atlas, we compared tumor and normal tissues in terms of the gene expression, for identifying differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Then, the risk score of a 5-gene signature was calculated and a prognostic model was established to test the predictive value of this gene signature by virtue of the LASSO Cox regression. The 5 genes were validated in PTC tissues by RT-qPCR.At last, functional analysis was implemented to investigate the underlying mechanisms. We found a total of 45 ferroptosis-related genes expressed differentially between tumor and normal tissues. 6 DEGs exhibited a significant relevance to the overall survival (OS) (P< 0.05). We classified patients into group with high risk and group with low risk based on the median risk score of a 5-gene signature. Patients in the group with low risk presented a remarkably higher OS relative to the group with high risk (P< 0.01). The Cox regression analysis displayed the independent predictive ability of the risk score. The receiver operating characteristic analysis helped to validate the predictive power owned by the gene signature. After validation, the 5 genes were abnormally expressed between PTC and normal tissues. Functional analysis showed two groups had different immune status. A new ferroptosis-related gene signature can predict the outcomes of PTC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Qian
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The First Hospital of Jiaxing, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University,Jiaxing,China
| | - Jian Tang
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The First Hospital of Jiaxing, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University,Jiaxing,China
| | - Lin Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine Clinic, The First Hospital of Jiaxing, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing,China
| | - Ziqiang Chen
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The First Hospital of Jiaxing, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University,Jiaxing,China
| | - Liang Chen
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The First Hospital of Jiaxing, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University,Jiaxing,China
| | - Yongquan Chu
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The First Hospital of Jiaxing, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University,Jiaxing,China
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Zhang C, Gu X, Pan M, Yuan Q, Cheng H. Senescent thyroid tumor cells promote their migration by inducing the polarization of M2-like macrophages. Clin Transl Oncol 2021; 23:1253-1261. [PMID: 33389662 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-020-02516-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE An in-depth understanding of the mechanism of thyroid cancer progression will help identify patients with thyroid cancer with a high risk of recurrence and metastasis. Although studies have pointed out that the senescence of thyroid tumor cells may stimulate TAMs and cause a series of changes. However, the role of TAMs in aging thyroid cancer cells is still unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the function of TAMs in aging thyroid cancer cells. METHODS We conducted in vitro model studies based on the K1 cell line to induce tumor cell senescence and study its effect on the differentiation of macrophages, flow cytometry was used to confirm polarization of macrophages, transwell assay was used to confirm changes of invasion and migration of tumor cells. RESULT Our data indicate that aging thyroid tumor cell lines trigger the polarization of M2-like macrophages, accompanied by increased expression of CCL17, CCL18, IL-18, and TGFβ1. This event is caused by the activation of the NFκB pathway upregulation of CXCL2 and CXCL3 is related. Further studies have shown that differentiated M2-like macrophages promote tumor cell migration (but have no effect on cell proliferation). CONCLUSION Our study indicating that the interaction between tumor and TAMs also occurs in the advanced stages of thyroid tumors and will lead to faster tumors progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Zhang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310000, China
| | - X Gu
- Xi'an Hospital of Civil Aviation, Xi'an, 710082, China
| | - M Pan
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310000, China
| | - Q Yuan
- Department of Ultrasonography, Shaanxi Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - H Cheng
- Department of Ultrasonography, Shaanxi Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China.
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Veschi V, Verona F, Lo Iacono M, D'Accardo C, Porcelli G, Turdo A, Gaggianesi M, Forte S, Giuffrida D, Memeo L, Todaro M. Cancer Stem Cells in Thyroid Tumors: From the Origin to Metastasis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:566. [PMID: 32982967 PMCID: PMC7477072 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Veschi
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Verona
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Melania Lo Iacono
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Caterina D'Accardo
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Gaetana Porcelli
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alice Turdo
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Miriam Gaggianesi
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Stefano Forte
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Mediterranean Institute of Oncology (IOM), Catania, Italy
| | - Dario Giuffrida
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Mediterranean Institute of Oncology (IOM), Catania, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Memeo
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Mediterranean Institute of Oncology (IOM), Catania, Italy
| | - Matilde Todaro
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- *Correspondence: Matilde Todaro
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