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Author Spotlight: Exploring Salidroside's Molecular Mechanisms in Breast Cancer Treatment
Published on: June 9, 2023
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Could iodine be the missing micronutrient in breast cancer development?
Jia Liu1, Xingtong Zhou1, Ying Xu1
1Department of Breast Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
Frontiers in Oncology
|April 27, 2026
Summary
Iodine deficiency may increase breast cancer risk by altering the sodium/iodide symporter (NIS). This mechanism involves cytoplasmic mislocalization of NIS, promoting tumor growth and metastasis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Endocrinology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Breast cancer is a leading malignancy affecting women globally.
- Epidemiological studies suggest a correlation between low iodine intake and increased breast cancer incidence.
- The sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) is crucial for iodine uptake in the body.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a mechanistic link between iodine deficiency and breast cancer development.
- To elucidate the role of sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) mislocalization in oncogenesis.
- To present a three-stage model for iodine deficiency-driven breast cancer evolution.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and mechanistic modeling.
- Analysis of hormonal axes (hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid and gonadal) and lactogenic signaling.
- Investigation of molecular pathways including PI3K/AKT, TP53, FOXA1, RhoA-ROCK, and NIS localization.
Main Results:
- Iodine deficiency can disrupt hormonal axes and lactogenic signaling, creating a pro-proliferative breast microenvironment.
- Specific mutations and signaling pathways (PI3K/AKT, TP53, FOXA1) influence NIS retention or upregulation in different breast cancer subtypes.
- Cytoplasmic NIS interacts with LARG, activating RhoA-ROCK signaling, which drives invasion and metastasis.
Conclusions:
- Iodine deficiency is a potential risk factor for breast cancer.
- Mislocalization and aberrant function of NIS play a critical role in breast cancer progression.
- Understanding iodine's role may lead to new therapeutic strategies for breast cancer.
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