Genetic aberrations and alterations in signaling cascades implicated in the pathogenesis of anaplastic thyroid cancer

Publication date: Available online 31 December 2018Source: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Reviews on CancerAuthor(s): Shikha Saini, Ajay V. Maker, Kenneth D. Burman, Bellur S. PrabhakarAbstractAnaplastic Thyroid Cancer (ATC) accounts for>40% thyroid cancer-related deaths and has a dismal prognosis. In the past decade, significant efforts have been made towards understanding the pathogenesis of this disease and developing novel therapeutics. Unfortunately, effective treatment is still lacking and a more thorough understanding of ATC pathogenesis may provide new opportunities to improve ATC therapeutics. This review provides insights into ATC clinical presentation and pathology, and the putative role of genetic aberrations and alterations in molecular signaling pathways in ATC pathogenesis. We reviewed prevalent mutations, chromosomal abnormalities and fusions, epigenetic alterations and dysregulations in ATC, and have highlighted several signaling cascades which appear to be integral to ATC pathogenesis. Moreover, these features offer insights into de-differentiated, aggressive and drug-resistant phenotype of ATC, and thus may serve as a potential new molecular targets for developing novel therapeutics.
Source: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) Reviews on Cancer - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research