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Updated: May 16, 2026
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Spontaneous Murine Model of Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer
Published on: February 3, 2023
Prognostic and predictive markers in medullary thyroid carcinoma
Boban M Erovic1, Dae Kim, Clarissa Cassol
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery/Surgical Oncology, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Endocrine Pathology
|November 15, 2012
Summary
Angioinvasion is a key predictor of poor outcomes in medullary thyroid carcinoma. Researchers identified novel protein targets, including SSTRs, for potential systemic adjuvant therapies in advanced disease.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Pathology
- Cancer Therapeutics
Background:
- Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) lacks effective systemic adjuvant therapy for advanced or metastatic disease.
- Radioactive iodine treatment is ineffective for MTC, unlike papillary thyroid carcinoma.
- Identifying aggressive disease markers and novel drug targets is crucial for MTC patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify markers of aggressive behavior in medullary thyroid carcinoma.
- To discover novel, targetable protein candidates for systemic adjuvant therapy in advanced MTC.
- To explore the potential of somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) for peptide receptor radionuclide treatment.
Main Methods:
- Tissue microarrays from 23 MTC patients were analyzed for 41 proteins.
- Proteins involved in apoptosis, cell cycle, angiogenesis, inflammation, and key signaling pathways were assessed.
- Computerized image analysis quantified protein expression, correlated with clinical data.
Main Results:
- Angioinvasion was the most reliable predictor of recurrence and death, occurring in 43% of cases.
- All angioinvasive MTCs showed metastasis; 60% developed distant metastasis.
- Key protein targets identified include COX-1/2, Bcl-2a, Gst-π, Gli-1/2/3, and Bmi-1; SSTRs showed potential clinical relevance.
Conclusions:
- Angioinvasion is a critical prognostic marker in medullary thyroid carcinoma.
- Identified proteins (COX-1/2, Bcl-2a, Gli-1/2/3, Bmi-1, SSTRs) represent promising targets for novel MTC therapies.
- Stratification of patients for adjuvant therapy based on these markers may improve treatment outcomes.
