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Transoral Robotic Total Thyroidectomy and Bilateral Central Regional Lymph Node Dissection for Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
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Rearrangements of NTRK1 gene in papillary thyroid carcinoma

A Greco1, C Miranda, M A Pierotti

  • 1Department of Experimental Oncology and Laboratory, Operative Unit 3 Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Growth and Progression, Fondazione IRCCS - Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via G. Venezian 1, 20133 Milan, Italy. angela.greco@istitutotumori.mi.it

Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology
|November 4, 2009
PubMed

Insights

TRK oncogenes, formed by gene fusions, drive papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) growth through constitutive tyrosine-kinase activity. This review summarizes 20 years of research on TRK oncogenes in PTC.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • TRK oncogenes are recurrently found in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).
  • These oncogenes result from gene fusions involving the NTRK1 gene, encoding the NGF receptor.
  • TRK oncoproteins exhibit constitutive tyrosine-kinase activity, promoting cellular transformation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review 20 years of research on TRK oncogenes in PTC.
  • To summarize the frequency, molecular mechanisms, and functional characteristics of TRK oncogenes and oncoproteins.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies published over the last 20 years.
  • Analysis of molecular mechanisms, biochemical properties, and functional roles of TRK oncoproteins.

Main Results:

  • TRK oncogenes arise from fusions of NTRK1 with various genes (e.g., TPM3, TPR, TFG).
  • TRK oncoproteins possess sustained tyrosine-kinase activity, driving cellular transformation in vitro and in vivo.
  • The review covers TRK oncogene frequency, correlation with radiation exposure and histopathological features, and the role of activating sequences.

Conclusions:

  • TRK oncogenes are significant drivers of papillary thyroid carcinoma.
  • Understanding TRK oncoprotein activation mechanisms is crucial for targeted therapies in PTC.

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