Cancer stem cells as a potential therapeutic target in thyroid carcinoma (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Luisa Vicari
    • Cristina Colarossi
    • Dario Giuffrida
    • Ruggero De Maria
    • Lorenzo Memeo
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: August 2, 2016     https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2016.4936
  • Pages: 2254-2260
Metrics: Total Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )


Abstract

A number of studies have indicated that tumor growth and proliferation is dependent on a small subset of cells, defined as cancer stem cells (CSCs). CSCs have the capability to self‑renew, and are involved with cancer propagation, relapse and metastatic dissemination. CSCs have been isolated from numerous tissues, including normal and cancerous thyroid tissue. A regulatory network of signaling pathways and microRNAs (miRNAs) control the properties of CSCs. Differentiated thyroid carcinoma is the most common type of endocrine cancer, with an increasing incidence. Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is the most rare type of endocrine cancer; however, it also exhibits the highest mortality rate among thyroid malignancies, with an extremely short survival time. Thyroid CSCs are invasive and highly resistant to conventional therapies, including radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which results in disease relapse even when the primary lesion has been eradicated. Therefore, targeting thyroid CSCs may represent an effective treatment strategy against aggressive neoplasms, including recurrent and radioresistant tumors. The present review summarizes the current literature regarding thyroid CSCs and discusses therapeutic strategies that target these cells, with a focus on the function of self‑renewal pathways and miRNAs. Elucidation of the mechanisms that regulate CSC growth and survival may improve novel therapeutic approaches for treatment‑resistant thyroid cancers.
View References

Related Articles

Journal Cover

October-2016
Volume 12 Issue 4

Print ISSN: 1792-1074
Online ISSN:1792-1082

Sign up for eToc alerts

Recommend to Library

Copy and paste a formatted citation
x
Spandidos Publications style
Vicari L, Colarossi C, Giuffrida D, De Maria R and Memeo L: Cancer stem cells as a potential therapeutic target in thyroid carcinoma (Review). Oncol Lett 12: 2254-2260, 2016
APA
Vicari, L., Colarossi, C., Giuffrida, D., De Maria, R., & Memeo, L. (2016). Cancer stem cells as a potential therapeutic target in thyroid carcinoma (Review). Oncology Letters, 12, 2254-2260. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2016.4936
MLA
Vicari, L., Colarossi, C., Giuffrida, D., De Maria, R., Memeo, L."Cancer stem cells as a potential therapeutic target in thyroid carcinoma (Review)". Oncology Letters 12.4 (2016): 2254-2260.
Chicago
Vicari, L., Colarossi, C., Giuffrida, D., De Maria, R., Memeo, L."Cancer stem cells as a potential therapeutic target in thyroid carcinoma (Review)". Oncology Letters 12, no. 4 (2016): 2254-2260. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2016.4936