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Updated: Jan 6, 2026
An Orthotopic Mouse Model of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma
Published on: April 17, 2013
Mouse models of thyroid cancer: Bridging pathogenesis and novel therapeutics
Yuchen Jin1, Min Liu2, Ri Sa1
1Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200233, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
Due to a global increase in the incidence of thyroid cancer, numerous novel mouse models were established to reveal thyroid cancer pathogenesis and test promising therapeutic strategies, necessitating a comprehensive review of translational medicine that covers (i) the role of mouse models in the research of thyroid cancer pathogenesis, and (ii) preclinical testing of potential anti-thyroid cancer therapeutics. The present review article aims to: (i) describe the current approaches for mouse modeling of thyroid cancer, (ii) provide insight into the biology and genetics of thyroid cancers, and (iii) offer guidance on the use of mouse models for testing potential therapeutics in preclinical settings. Based on research with mouse models of thyroid cancer pathogenesis involving the RTK, RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, SRC, and JAK-STAT signaling pathways, inhibitors of VEGFR, MEK, mTOR, SRC, and STAT3 have been developed as anti-thyroid cancer drugs for "bench-to-bedside" translation. In the future, mouse models of thyroid cancer will be designed to be ''humanized" and "patient-like," offering opportunities to: (i) investigate the pathogenesis of thyroid cancer through target screening based on the CRISPR/Cas system, (ii) test drugs based on new mouse models, and (iii) explore the underlying mechanisms based on multi-omics.
Insights
Novel mouse models are crucial for understanding thyroid cancer and testing new treatments. Future "humanized" models will accelerate drug discovery and reveal complex disease mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Translational Medicine
- Genetics
Background:
- Global incidence of thyroid cancer is increasing.
- Novel mouse models are essential for studying thyroid cancer pathogenesis.
- There is a need for comprehensive reviews on translational medicine in thyroid cancer research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current mouse modeling approaches for thyroid cancer.
- To provide insights into thyroid cancer biology and genetics.
- To guide the use of mouse models for preclinical therapeutic testing.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on thyroid cancer mouse models.
- Analysis of signaling pathways (RTK, RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, SRC, JAK-STAT) in thyroid cancer pathogenesis.
- Examination of preclinical drug testing strategies using mouse models.
Main Results:
- Mouse models have elucidated the role of key signaling pathways in thyroid cancer.
- Inhibitors targeting VEGFR, MEK, mTOR, SRC, and STAT3 have been developed for clinical translation.
- Future mouse models will be "humanized" and "patient-like" for advanced research.
Conclusions:
- Mouse models are indispensable tools for thyroid cancer research and therapeutic development.
- Advancements in mouse modeling, including CRISPR/Cas and multi-omics, will enhance understanding of thyroid cancer.
- The development of "humanized" and "patient-like" mouse models promises to accelerate "bench-to-bedside" translation of novel therapies.
