Molecular Markers Guiding Thyroid Cancer Management.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Thyroid cancer (TC) incidence is rising, largely due to overdiagnosis of differentiated TC.
• Molecular technologies offer insights into cancer's biological characteristics.
• Molecular markers are vital for TC diagnosis, prognosis, and identifying therapeutic targets.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the molecular landscape of thyroid cancer.
• To discuss the impact of molecular markers on TC diagnosis, surveillance, and treatment.

Main Methods:

• Review of preclinical models and high-throughput molecular technologies.
• Analysis of gene expression microarrays.
• Examination of molecular markers in differentiated, poorly differentiated, and anaplastic TC.

Main Results:

• Molecular markers distinguish benign from malignant lesions and predict TC aggressiveness.
• In differentiated TC, markers guide management of indeterminate nodules.
• In advanced TC, markers enable targeted therapies, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs).

Conclusions:

• Molecular markers are indispensable tools in modern thyroid cancer management.
• Targeted therapies based on molecular markers offer new hope for advanced TC.
• Understanding the molecular profile is key to personalized TC treatment strategies.