An Orally Efficacious Thyrotropin Receptor Ligand Inhibits Growth and Metastatic Activity of Thyroid Cancers

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (or thyrotropin) receptor (TSHR) could be a selective target for small molecule ligands to treat thyroid cancer (TC).

We report a novel, orally efficacious ligand for TSHR that exhibits proliferation inhibitory activity against human TC in vitro and in vivo, and inhibition of metastasis in vivo.

A35 (NCATS-SM4420; NCGC00241808) was selected from a sublibrary of >200 TSHR ligands. Cell proliferation assays including BrdU incorporation and WST-1, along with molecular docking studies were done. In vivo activity of A35 was assessed in TC cell-derived xenograft (CDX) models with immunocompromised (NSG) mice. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections of tumor and lung tissues were observed for the extent of cell death and metastasis.

A35 was shown to stimulate cAMP production in some cell types by activating TSHR but not in TC cells, MDA-T32, and MDA-T85. A35 inhibited proliferation of MDA-T32 and MDA-T85 in vitro and in vivo, and pulmonary metastasis of MDA-T85F1 in mice. In vitro, A35 inhibition of proliferation was reduced by a selective TSHR antagonist. Inhibition of CDX tumor growth without decreases in mouse weights and liver function showed A35 to be efficacious without apparent toxicity. Lastly, A35 reduced levels of Ki67 in the tumors and metastatic markers in lung tissues.

We conclude that A35 is a TSHR-selective inhibitor of TC cell proliferation and metastasis, and suggest that A35 may be a promising lead drug candidate for the treatment of differentiated TC in humans.