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The substance P and neurokinin-1 receptor system in human thyroid cancer: an immunohistochemical study
Inmaculada Isorna1, Francisco Esteban2, Juan Solanellas3
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Virgen del Rocio University Hospital, Seville. inmaisorna@gmail.com.
Abstract:
To develop a new therapeutic strategy against thyroid cancer (TC), the expression of both substance P (SP) and neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) must be demonstrated in TC cells. This study aims to examine by immunohistochemistry, the localization of SP and the NK-1R in human TC samples (papillary, follicular, medullary, anaplastic), in metastasis and in healthy thyroid samples. SP and the NK-1R were expressed in all normal and TC samples. In healthy glands, SP was located in follicular cells (nucleus) and colloid and NK-1R in follicular cells (cytoplasm) and stroma. In TC samples, SP was visualized in follicular cells (nucleus and cytoplasm), stroma and colloid and NK-1R in follicular cells (cytoplasm), stroma and colloid. A semiquantitative scoring system (Allred Unit Scoring System) was applied. The expression (Allred total score) of SP and NK-1R was weaker in normal thyroid glands than in TC. In comparison with TC samples, a lower intensity/proportion of SP (nucleus and cytoplasm of follicular cells; stroma) was observed in normal samples. By contrast, in the colloid of TC samples the presence of SP was lower than in normal samples. In comparison with TC samples, the presence of the NK-1R in the cytoplasm of follicular cells and colloid was lower in normal thyroid samples, whereas the expression of this receptor in the stroma was higher. The results reported in this study suggest that the NK-1R could be a new target for the treatment of TC and use of the NK-1R antagonists could serve as a new anti-TC therapeutic strategy.
Insights
Substance P (SP) and neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) are present in thyroid cancer (TC). NK-1R shows higher expression in TC than normal tissue, suggesting it
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Thyroid cancer (TC) necessitates novel therapeutic strategies.
- Substance P (SP) and neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) expression is a prerequisite for developing new treatments.
- Understanding SP and NK-1R localization in various thyroid tissues is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression and localization of SP and NK-1R in human thyroid cancer samples, metastases, and healthy thyroid tissue.
- To compare SP and NK-1R expression levels between normal and cancerous thyroid tissues.
- To evaluate the potential of NK-1R as a therapeutic target for thyroid cancer.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect SP and NK-1R.
- Human samples included papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic thyroid cancers, metastases, and healthy thyroid tissue.
- The Allred Unit Scoring System was used for semiquantitative assessment of protein expression.
Main Results:
- SP and NK-1R were detected in all normal and thyroid cancer samples.
- Expression of SP and NK-1R was generally higher in thyroid cancer tissues compared to normal thyroid glands.
- Specific differences in localization and intensity were observed between normal and cancerous tissues for both SP and NK-1R.
Conclusions:
- The neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) is upregulated in thyroid cancer, indicating its potential as a therapeutic target.
- NK-1R antagonists represent a promising new therapeutic strategy for treating thyroid cancer.
- Further research into NK-1R targeted therapies for thyroid cancer is warranted.
