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Updated: Sep 4, 2025
Spontaneous Murine Model of Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer
Published on: February 3, 2023
Anticancer effects of natural phytochemicals in anaplastic thyroid cancer (Review)
Yitian Li1, Jing Zhang1, Huihui Zhou1
1Department of Hygiene, Public Health College, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272067, P.R. China.
Abstract:
Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is an aggressive and lethal malignancy having a dismal prognosis. Phytochemicals are bioactive components obtained from plants that have been proven useful to treat numerous diseases. Phytochemicals are also an important source of novel anticancer drugs and an important area of research due to the numerous available candidates that can potentially treat cancers. This review discusses naturally occurring phytochemicals and their derivatives that show promising anticancer effects in anaplastic thyroid cancer. Anticancer effects include cell growth inhibition, induction of apoptosis, promoting cell cycle arrest, suppressing angiogenesis, modulating autophagy, and increasing the production of reactive oxygen species. Phytochemicals are not only prospective candidates in the therapy of anaplastic thyroid cancer but also exhibit potential as adjuvants to improve the anticancer effects of other drugs. Although some phytochemicals have excellent anticancer properties, drug resistance observed during the use of resveratrol and artemisinin in different anaplastic thyroid cancer cell lines is still a problem. Anaplastic thyroid cancer cells have several biological, clinical, and drug‑resistance features that differ from differentiated thyroid cancer cells. Phytochemicals such as resveratrol and quercetin exhibit different biological effects in anaplastic thyroid cancer and differentiated thyroid cancer. Tumor cells depend on increased aerobic glycolysis by mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation to provide energy for their rapid growth, invasiveness, and drug resistance. Phytochemicals can alter signaling cascades, modulate the metabolic properties of cancer cells, and influence the mitochondrial membrane potential of anaplastic thyroid cancer cells. These findings enrich our knowledge of the anticancer effects of phytochemicals and highlight alternative therapies to prevent drug resistance in anaplastic thyroid cancer.
Insights
Phytochemicals show promise in treating anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) by inhibiting growth and inducing apoptosis. Research explores their potential as novel therapies and adjuvants to overcome drug resistance in this aggressive cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Natural Products Chemistry
Background:
- Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is a highly aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis.
- Phytochemicals, plant-derived bioactive compounds, are a rich source for developing novel anticancer drugs.
- Understanding phytochemicals' mechanisms against ATC is crucial for therapeutic advancement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the anticancer effects of naturally occurring phytochemicals and their derivatives against anaplastic thyroid cancer.
- To explore the potential of phytochemicals as therapeutic agents and adjuvants in ATC treatment.
- To discuss challenges such as drug resistance and differences between ATC and differentiated thyroid cancer.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on phytochemicals and their effects on anaplastic thyroid cancer.
- Analysis of reported anticancer mechanisms, including cell growth inhibition, apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and angiogenesis suppression.
- Examination of phytochemicals' impact on cancer cell metabolism and mitochondrial function.
Main Results:
- Phytochemicals demonstrate significant anticancer effects in ATC, including inhibiting cell growth, inducing apoptosis, and promoting cell cycle arrest.
- These compounds can suppress angiogenesis, modulate autophagy, and increase reactive oxygen species production.
- Phytochemicals can alter signaling pathways, modulate cancer cell metabolism, and influence mitochondrial membrane potential in ATC cells.
Conclusions:
- Phytochemicals represent promising candidates for anaplastic thyroid cancer therapy and as adjuvants to enhance conventional treatments.
- Addressing drug resistance, exemplified by resveratrol and artemisinin, remains a key challenge.
- Phytochemicals offer alternative therapeutic strategies by targeting unique metabolic and signaling pathways in ATC, potentially overcoming resistance mechanisms.
