Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 27, 2026

In Vivo Inhibition of MicroRNA to Decrease Tumor Growth in Mice
07:02

In Vivo Inhibition of MicroRNA to Decrease Tumor Growth in Mice

Published on: August 23, 2019

Activation of mTOR signaling in medullary and aggressive papillary thyroid carcinomas

Maria A Kouvaraki1, Chrysoula Liakou, Adriani Paraschi

  • 1Department of Surgery, University of Thessaly, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece.

Surgery
|December 6, 2011
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is activated in aggressive thyroid cancers. Targeting mTOR with rapamycin may offer a new therapeutic strategy for these aggressive tumors.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling is implicated in thyroid carcinogenesis.
  • Investigating mTOR pathway proteins in thyroid tumors is crucial for understanding cancer progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the expression and activation of mTOR signaling proteins in thyroid carcinoma.
  • To correlate mTOR pathway activity with tumor histology and aggressiveness.

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis of 50 thyroid cancer specimens.
  • Analysis of primary tumor cell cultures and pharmacologic studies with rapamycin.

Main Results:

  • High eIF4E expression in medullary (MTC) and aggressive papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC).
  • Elevated p-rpS6, p-4EBP1, 4EBP1, and eIF4E in aggressive PTC and MTC cells.
  • Rapamycin treatment reduced MTC cell growth and induced cell death.

Conclusions:

  • mTOR signaling is activated in aggressive thyroid cancers (PTC and MTC).
  • The mTOR pathway is a potential therapeutic target for aggressive thyroid carcinomas.

More Related Videos

Spontaneous Murine Model of Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer05:39

Spontaneous Murine Model of Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer

Published on: February 3, 2023

Intracellular Phosphoflow Cytometry of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patient-Derived Xenotransplants07:38

Intracellular Phosphoflow Cytometry of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patient-Derived Xenotransplants

Published on: June 6, 2025

Related Concept Videos

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway01:22

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway

The mammalian target of rapamycin  (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1  (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2  (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast,  mTORC2 consists of a rapamycin-insensitive companion...
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
MAPK Signaling Cascades01:07

MAPK Signaling Cascades

Mitogen-activated protein kinase, or MAPK pathway, activates three sequential kinases to regulate cellular responses such as proliferation, differentiation, survival, and apoptosis. The canonical MAPK pathway starts with a mitogen or growth factor binding to an RTK. The activated RTKs stimulate Ras, which recruits Raf or MAP3 Kinase (MAPKKK), the first kinase of the MAPK signaling cascade. Raf further phosphorylates and activates MEK or MAP2 Kinases (MAPKK), which in turn phosphorylates MAP...