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Thyroid hormone receptors and cancer
1Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta
|April 18, 2012
Summary
Thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) act as tumor suppressors. Loss of TR function through mutations or deletion contributes to thyroid cancer development, progression, and metastasis.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) are crucial transcription factors regulating cellular functions.
- Their role in human cancer is emerging, with evidence suggesting TRs act as tumor suppressors.
- Reduced TR expression or mutations are linked to various cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evidence supporting the critical role of TRs in human cancer.
- To examine insights from genetically engineered mouse models.
- To explore TRs as potential therapeutic targets in cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature and studies on TRs in cancer.
- Analysis of data from genetically engineered mouse models (Thra1(-/-)Thrb(-/-) and Thrb(PV/PV) mice).
- Examination of molecular mechanisms underlying TRs' role in carcinogenesis.
Main Results:
- Mice lacking functional TRs spontaneously develop metastatic thyroid carcinoma.
- Evidence from mouse models strongly supports TRs' critical role in cancer.
- Aberrant TR activity provides mechanistic insights into carcinogenesis.
Conclusions:
- Loss of normal TR function via deletion or mutation contributes to cancer development, progression, and metastasis.
- Understanding TRs' aberrant activity offers novel mechanistic insights into carcinogenesis.
- Mouse models of thyroid cancer are valuable for identifying molecular targets for treatment.
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