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Updated: Jun 27, 2026
Spontaneous Murine Model of Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer
Published on: February 3, 2023
Identification of ANC-3 as a Novel Therapeutic Candidate for Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer Through Drug Screening and
Dorjsuren Tsagaankhuu1,2, Hyunwoo Baek2,3, Jungyoon Choi3
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Ansan 15355, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is a rare but highly aggressive malignancy characterized by rapid progression, early metastasis, and extremely poor survival outcomes. Effective therapeutic options remain limited, highlighting the need for efficient and biologically relevant preclinical drug-discovery platforms. In this study, high-throughput compound screening using human ATC cell lines identified ANC-3 as a potential anticancer candidate. Its antitumor activity was evaluated through cytotoxicity and functional assays, zebrafish xenograft validation with live fluorescence imaging, colony-formation assays, and bulk RNA sequencing with pathway enrichment analyses. ANC-3 demonstrated consistent antitumor effects by significantly inhibiting cell viability, migration, invasion, and clonogenic survival, while also suppressing tumor growth in zebrafish xenograft models. Transcriptomic analyses revealed modulation of multiple oncogenic pathways, including MAPK, Ras, and NF-κB signaling. Collectively, these findings support zebrafish xenograft-based screening as a rapid and scalable platform for ATC drug discovery and suggest ANC-3 as a promising multi-pathway inhibitor warranting further preclinical development.
Insights
Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) drug discovery is advanced by a new zebrafish xenograft screening platform. This system identified ANC-3, a promising compound that inhibits ATC cell growth and multiple cancer pathways.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Genomics
Background:
- Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is an aggressive cancer with limited treatment options.
- There is a critical need for effective preclinical drug discovery platforms for ATC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify novel therapeutic candidates for ATC using high-throughput screening.
- To validate the efficacy of identified compounds using a zebrafish xenograft model.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of action for promising drug candidates.
Main Methods:
- High-throughput compound screening of human ATC cell lines.
- In vitro assays: cytotoxicity, migration, invasion, and colony-formation assays.
- In vivo validation using zebrafish xenograft models with live fluorescence imaging.
- Bulk RNA sequencing and pathway enrichment analysis.
Main Results:
- ANC-3 was identified as a potent anticancer agent against ATC.
- ANC-3 significantly inhibited ATC cell viability, migration, invasion, and clonogenic survival.
- ANC-3 suppressed tumor growth in zebrafish xenograft models.
- Transcriptomic analysis revealed ANC-3 modulates MAPK, Ras, and NF-κB signaling pathways.
Conclusions:
- Zebrafish xenograft screening is a rapid and scalable platform for ATC drug discovery.
- ANC-3 is a promising multi-pathway inhibitor for further preclinical development in ATC.
