Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2025

Spontaneous Murine Model of Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer
Published on: February 3, 2023
Molecular features of aggressive thyroid cancer
Giusy Elia1, Armando Patrizio2, Francesca Ragusa1
1Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Understanding the genetic mutations in aggressive thyroid cancer (TC) guides targeted therapies. These advancements offer new treatment options for radioiodine-resistant and advanced forms of the disease.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Poorly differentiated thyroid cancer (PDTC) and anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) exhibit aggressive behavior and poor prognosis.
- Loss of radioiodine (131I) uptake is a hallmark of aggressive thyroid cancer (TC).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of the genetic landscape of thyroid cancer.
- To explore how genomic insights inform the development of precise therapeutic strategies for advanced TC.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current knowledge on thyroid cancer genomics.
- Analysis of approved and emerging targeted therapies based on specific genetic alterations.
Main Results:
- Targeted therapies like kinase inhibitors (sorafenib, lenvatinib, cabozantinib) are approved for radioiodine-resistant papillary TC (PTC) and follicular TC (FTC).
- Specific agents target genetic mutations: selpercatinib/pralsetinib for RET alterations, entrectinib/larotrectinib for TRK fusions, and dabrafenib/trametinib for BRAFV600E-mutated ATC.
- Some targeted therapies can induce tumor re-differentiation, potentially restoring sensitivity to 131I therapy.
Conclusions:
- Knowledge of the genomic alterations in TC is crucial for developing tailored treatment strategies.
- Targeted therapies offer improved outcomes for aggressive and radioiodine-resistant thyroid cancers.
- Precision medicine approaches are transforming the management of advanced thyroid cancer.
More Related Videos
06:08Establishment and Characterization of Patient-Derived Xenograft Models of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma and Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: June 2, 2023
03:55Computer-Aided Three-Dimensional Visualization in the Treatment of Locally Advanced Thyroid Cancer
Published on: June 9, 2023
Related Concept Videos
Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
Tumor Progression
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
The Thyroid Gland
The follicles have a central cavity lined by simple cuboidal to squamous epithelial cells called follicular cells. These cells produce the glycoprotein...
Metastasis
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
Synthesis and Regulation of Thyroid Hormones
Upon reaching the thyroid gland, TSH stimulates the follicular cells' active uptake of iodide ions from the blood. The ions diffuse to the apical surface of the cells and are oxidized to iodine. The...
The Tumor Microenvironment