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Altered Epigenetic Mechanisms in Thyroid Cancer Subtypes
Maryam Zarkesh1, Azita Zadeh-Vakili2, Fereidoun Azizi3
1Cellular and Molecular Endocrine Research Center (CMERC), Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, 19395-4763, Tehran, Iran.
Molecular Diagnosis & Therapy
|October 8, 2017
Summary
Epigenetic alterations, particularly DNA methylation and microRNAs, are key drivers in thyroid carcinoma (TC) development and subtypes. Understanding these changes aids in diagnosis and treatment strategies for thyroid cancer.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Thyroid carcinoma (TC) is the most common endocrine malignancy.
- Epigenetic factors significantly influence gene expression, impacting TC subtype characteristics.
- Molecular diagnostics are crucial for invasive thyroid disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review epigenetic changes in major TC subtypes.
- To present methods used to study these epigenetic alterations.
- To highlight ongoing clinical trials targeting epigenetic modifications in advanced TC.
Main Methods:
- Literature analysis of MEDLINE, PubMed, Elsevier, and Google Scholar up to 2016.
- Keywords included "Epigenetic alterations", "thyroid cancers", and specific TC subtypes.
- Inclusion criteria: English language, full text availability, detailed epigenetic methods and TC subtype data (100 articles selected).
Main Results:
- Epigenetic alterations are crucial for understanding TC pathogenesis and classification.
- Aberrant DNA methylation and microRNA (miR) dysregulation are strongly implicated in thyroid tumorigenesis.
- Histone modification roles in TC development require further investigation.
Conclusions:
- Analysis of epigenetic alterations in TC subtypes is vital for diagnosis and classification.
- DNA methylation and miRs are significant epigenetic mechanisms in thyroid cancer.
- Further research is needed to fully understand histone modifications in TC.
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