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Spontaneous Murine Model of Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer
05:39

Spontaneous Murine Model of Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer

Published on: February 3, 2023

Antineoplastic and Immunomodulatory Effects of Cabozantinib in Continuous and Primary Human Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer

Giusy Elia1, Silvia Martina Ferrari1, Eugenia Balestri1

  • 1Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy.

Cancers
|August 13, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Cabozantinib demonstrated significant antineoplastic effects, reducing viability and increasing apoptosis in anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) cells. This study suggests cabozantinib

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) remains a challenging malignancy with limited treatment options.
  • The antineoplastic and immunomodulatory effects of cabozantinib in ATC have not been previously investigated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the in vitro antineoplastic and immunomodulatory effects of cabozantinib on anaplastic thyroid cancer cells.
  • To assess cabozantinib's impact on cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, and migration.

Main Methods:

  • Cabozantinib's antineoplastic activity was assessed in established ATC cell lines (8305C, CAL62) and five primary patient-derived ATC cells.
  • Cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, and migration were evaluated using standard assays.
  • Chemokine secretion (CXCL10, CCL2) was measured to assess immunomodulatory effects.

Main Results:

  • Cabozantinib treatment resulted in a significant decrease in ATC cell viability and proliferation.
  • Increased apoptosis and inhibited cell migration were observed in cabozantinib-treated ATC cells.
  • Cabozantinib reduced the secretion of T-helper 1 and T-helper 2 chemokines (CXCL10, CCL2), indicating immunomodulatory potential.

Conclusions:

  • Cabozantinib exhibits promising antineoplastic and immunomodulatory effects in vitro against anaplastic thyroid cancer cells.
  • In vitro chemosensitivity testing using patient-derived cells allows for a personalized treatment approach.
  • These findings support further in vivo evaluation of cabozantinib for ATC treatment.
Keywords:
anaplastic thyroid cancercabozantinibin vitro studyprimary cell cultures

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