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An Orthotopic Mouse Model of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma
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An Orthotopic Mouse Model of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma

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Anaplastic thyroid cancer:Improved understanding of what remains a deadly disease

Eoin F Cleere1, Sarah Prunty1, James P O'Neill1

  • 1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.

The Surgeon : Journal of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons of Edinburgh and Ireland
|October 22, 2023
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) has a poor prognosis, with most patients presenting with advanced disease. However, recent targeted therapies show promise for improving outcomes in this rare cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is a rare, undifferentiated thyroid malignancy, comprising less than 2% of all thyroid cancers.
  • ATC is characterized by aggressive progression and a dismal prognosis, with a median survival of 3-6 months.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of ATC.
  • To discuss recent advancements in molecular insights and treatment strategies for ATC, referencing the 2021 American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines.

Main Methods:

  • A literature review was conducted using PubMed and Cochrane databases, prioritizing studies from the last five years.
  • Institutional experience was also incorporated to provide a contemporary perspective on ATC management and prognosis.

Main Results:

  • Most ATC patients (80-90%) present with metastatic disease, underscoring the advanced nature of the cancer at diagnosis.
  • Despite aggressive conventional treatments like surgery and chemoradiotherapy, survival rates remain poor.
  • Key oncogenic mutations (BRAF, RAS, PI3K, PTEN, TP53, TERT) are implicated in ATC development, with targeted therapies like dabrafenib/trametinib showing potential.

Conclusions:

  • The prognosis for anaplastic thyroid cancer remains challenging.
  • Emerging targeted therapies targeting specific mutations offer a hopeful outlook for improved oncologic outcomes.
  • Further research and clinical data are anticipated to clarify the impact of these novel treatments on ATC survival.
Keywords:
Anaplastic thyroid cancerBRAFMultimodal therapyPrecision oncologyTargeted therapy

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