Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 28, 2026

Establishment and Characterization of Patient-Derived Xenograft Models of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma and Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
06:08

Establishment and Characterization of Patient-Derived Xenograft Models of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma and Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Published on: June 2, 2023

Osteopontin-4 (OPN-4) Suppresses Tumor Progression Features Whilst Sensitizing c643 Anaplastic Thyroid Cells to

Gabriela Ribeiro Silva1,2, Amanda Lewis Rubim2, Flavia da Cunha Vasconcelos2,3

  • 1Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biomédicas, Fisiologia e Farmacologia, Instituto Biomédico, Niterói CEP 24210-130, Brazil.

Biomedicines
|May 27, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Osteopontin-4 (OPN-4) overexpression in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) cells reduced proliferation and migration. OPN-4 may serve as a biomarker for therapeutic response in personalized ATC treatment strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is a highly aggressive endocrine malignancy.
  • Osteopontin (OPN) is aberrantly expressed in ATC.
  • The functional roles of OPN splicing isoforms, specifically OPN-4, in ATC remain largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the functional roles of OPN-4 in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cells.
  • To investigate the impact of OPN-4 overexpression on ATC cell behavior and response to therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Ectopic overexpression of OPN-4 in the c643 ATC cell line.
  • In vitro functional assays including proliferation, viability, migration, clonogenicity, cell cycle, and apoptosis.
  • Assessment in 2D monolayers and 3D spheroids within a microfluidic system.
  • Evaluation of combined OPN-4 overexpression and sorafenib treatment.

Main Results:

  • OPN-4 overexpression significantly reduced ATC cell proliferation, viability, migration, and clonogenicity.
  • OPN-4 overexpression caused G0/G1 cell cycle arrest without affecting apoptosis or other OPN splicing isoforms.
  • No significant differences in spheroid size or viability were observed in 3D models.
  • OPN-4 enhanced sorafenib efficacy in cell viability under dynamic perfusion conditions.

Conclusions:

  • OPN-4 overexpression appears to inhibit certain aspects of tumor progression in ATC cells.
  • OPN-4 warrants further investigation as a potential biomarker for predicting therapeutic response in personalized ATC treatment strategies.
Keywords:
OPN-4anaplastic thyroid carcinomamicrofluidic deviceosteopontinspheroidssplicingsplicing isoforms

Related Concept Videos

Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions01:12

Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
Tumor Progression02:07

Tumor Progression

Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages.
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...
Tumor Progression02:07

Tumor Progression

Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages.
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...