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Published on: August 23, 2019
Periostin promotes papillary thyroid carcinoma progression by modulating mTOR/AKT pathway
Song Wang1, Yuanchun Li1, Hong Li2
1Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, China.
Translational Cancer Research
|June 17, 2026
Summary
Periostin (POSTN) is overexpressed in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), driving tumor progression by influencing cell proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and autophagy via the AKT/mTOR pathway. POSTN shows potential as a therapeutic target for PTC.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common thyroid malignancy, with increasing incidence and poorly understood progression mechanisms.
- Periostin (POSTN), implicated in various cancers, has an unclear role in PTC development and progression.
- This study investigates the specific function of POSTN in papillary thyroid carcinoma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the role of Periostin (POSTN) in the progression of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).
- To determine if POSTN expression levels correlate with PTC stage and patient outcomes.
- To explore POSTN's functional impact on PTC cell behavior and signaling pathways.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) gene expression data.
- Measurement of POSTN levels in PTC patient tissues and serum using ELISA, IHC, qRT-PCR, and Western blot.
- In vitro functional assays (Transwell, wound healing) to assess POSTN's effect on cell migration, proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy, linked to the AKT/mTOR pathway.
Main Results:
- Elevated POSTN expression was observed in PTC tissues, correlating with advanced tumor stages.
- Serum POSTN levels were significantly higher in PTC patients compared to healthy controls.
- Silencing POSTN reduced PTC cell proliferation and migration, while promoting apoptosis and autophagy, linked to AKT/mTOR pathway modulation.
Conclusions:
- POSTN is overexpressed in PTC and serves as a potential prognostic biomarker.
- POSTN facilitates PTC progression by regulating cell proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and autophagy through the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.
- Targeting POSTN represents a promising therapeutic strategy for papillary thyroid carcinoma.
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