Benzyl isothiocyanate suppresses development of thyroid carcinoma by regulating both autophagy and apoptosis pathway

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is the most aggressive type of thyroid cancer, characterized by rapid growth and invasion and poor prognosis. Due to its rarity and aggressive nature, ATC is a difficult condition to treat, thus knowledge of the mechanisms underlying its progression represents important research challenges. Benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) is a natural compound that has shown promising anticancer properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antitumor effect of BITC in ATC, highlighting signaling pathways involved in BITC mechanism of action. This work included in vitro and in vivo studies. Results obtained indicate that BITC, both in vitro and in vivo, has the potential to slow the progression of ATC through interactions with autophagy, reduction in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and attenuation of inflammation. In conclusion, this study identifies BITC as a compound worth further investigation for the development of new treatment strategies for this aggressive form of thyroid cancer.