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Updated: May 22, 2026

Spontaneous Murine Model of Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer
Published on: February 3, 2023
Molecular target based combinational therapeutic approaches in thyroid cancer
Shilpi Rajoria1, Robert Suriano, Andrea L George
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, 10595, USA.
Estrogen promotes thyroid cancer growth by stimulating angiogenesis via vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Anti-estrogens like fulvestrant and 3,3'-diindolylmethane inhibit this process, offering potential thyroid cancer therapies.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Thyroid cancer growth depends on angiogenesis.
- Estrogen may drive thyroid cancer aggressiveness and incidence in women.
- Estrogen's role in breast cancer angiogenesis suggests a similar role in thyroid cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate estrogen's role in thyroid cancer angiogenesis.
- To determine if estrogen induces vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion in thyroid cancer cells.
- To evaluate the efficacy of anti-estrogens in inhibiting estrogen-induced angiogenesis in thyroid cancer.
Main Methods:
- Human thyroid cancer cell lines (B-CPAP, CGTH-W-1, ML-1) were treated with estrogen and/or anti-estrogens (fulvestrant, 3,3 -diindolylmethane).
- Conditioned media were applied to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to assess angiogenesis.
- Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in conditioned media were quantified.
Main Results:
- Estrogen-treated thyroid cancer cells promoted endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and tubulogenesis, indicative of angiogenesis.
- Estrogen-induced VEGF secretion by thyroid cancer cells mediated these angiogenic effects.
- Anti-estrogens significantly inhibited VEGF secretion and subsequent angiogenesis in HUVECs.
Conclusions:
- Estrogen is a key regulator of VEGF secretion in thyroid cells, enhancing thyroid cancer angiogenesis.
- Anti-estrogens demonstrate potential as anti-angiogenic agents for thyroid cancer treatment.
- 3,3 -diindolylmethane shows promise as a natural anti-estrogen for therapeutic regimens.
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