Abstract
Background: Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) originates from the parafollicular C cells of the thyroid gland. Mutations of the RET proto-oncogene are implicated in the pathogenesis of MTC. Germline activating mutations of this gene have been reported in about 88–98% of familial MTCs, while somatic mutations of RET gene have been detected in about 23-70% of sporadic forms. Although these genetic events are well characterized, much less is known about the role of epigenetic abnormalities in MTC.
Objective: The present review reports a detailed description of epigenetic abnormalities (DNA methylation, histone modifications and miRNA profile), probably involved in the pathogenesis and progression of MTC.
Methods: A systematic review was performed using Pubmed and Google patents databases. Results: We report the current understanding of epigenetic patterns in MTC and discuss the potential use of current knowledge in designing novel therapeutic strategies through epigenetic drugs, focusing on recent patents in this field.
Conclusion: Taking into account the reversibility of epigenetic alterations and the recent development in this field, epigenetic therapy may emerge for clinical use in the near future for patients with advanced MTC.
Keywords: DNA methylation, epigenetics, epigenetic therapy, histone modifications, medullary thyroid cancer, microRNA.
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery
Title:Epigenetics in Medullary Thyroid Cancer: From Pathogenesis to Targeted Therapy
Volume: 11 Issue: 3
Author(s): Giovanni Vitale, Alessandra Dicitore, Erika Messina, Concetta Sciammarella, Antongiulio Faggiano and Annamaria Colao
Affiliation:
Keywords: DNA methylation, epigenetics, epigenetic therapy, histone modifications, medullary thyroid cancer, microRNA.
Abstract: Background: Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) originates from the parafollicular C cells of the thyroid gland. Mutations of the RET proto-oncogene are implicated in the pathogenesis of MTC. Germline activating mutations of this gene have been reported in about 88–98% of familial MTCs, while somatic mutations of RET gene have been detected in about 23-70% of sporadic forms. Although these genetic events are well characterized, much less is known about the role of epigenetic abnormalities in MTC.
Objective: The present review reports a detailed description of epigenetic abnormalities (DNA methylation, histone modifications and miRNA profile), probably involved in the pathogenesis and progression of MTC.
Methods: A systematic review was performed using Pubmed and Google patents databases. Results: We report the current understanding of epigenetic patterns in MTC and discuss the potential use of current knowledge in designing novel therapeutic strategies through epigenetic drugs, focusing on recent patents in this field.
Conclusion: Taking into account the reversibility of epigenetic alterations and the recent development in this field, epigenetic therapy may emerge for clinical use in the near future for patients with advanced MTC.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Vitale Giovanni, Dicitore Alessandra, Messina Erika, Sciammarella Concetta, Faggiano Antongiulio and Colao Annamaria, Epigenetics in Medullary Thyroid Cancer: From Pathogenesis to Targeted Therapy, Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery 2016; 11 (3) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1574892811666160614115356
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1574892811666160614115356 |
Print ISSN 1574-8928 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 2212-3970 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Novel anti-cancer drugs in photoimmunotherapy management: from bench to translational research
In recent years, traditional cancer treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatment, etc., may damage the pathological tissue and normal cells. The ideal tumor treatment should be noninvasive, eliminating the primary tumor, making the body produce systemic tumor-specific immunity, eliminating metastases, and having less /no side effects. Recent Patents ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Serum Cortisol, Hepcidin and Thyroid Hormone Levels in Neonates with Late-Onset Sepsis; Methodological Issues on Diagnostic and Prognostic Studies
Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets Estrogen-Induced Genetic Alterations and Their Role in Carcinogenicity
Current Genomics The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis: What can it Tell us About Stressors?
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Hepatic Cytochrome P450 Regulation in Disease States
Current Drug Metabolism Role of Hexokinase and VDAC in Neurological Disorders
Current Molecular Pharmacology The PI3K/Akt Pathway as a Target in the Treatment of Hematologic Malignancies
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Volatilome Metabolomics and Databases, Recent Advances and Needs
Current Metabolomics The Potential Use of Hormone-Based Therapeutics for the Treatment of Alzheimers Disease
Current Alzheimer Research Fgf10: A Paracrine-Signaling Molecule in Development, Disease, and Regenerative Medicine
Current Molecular Medicine Inhibitory Smad7: Emerging Roles in Health and Disease
Current Molecular Pharmacology Genetic Polymorphism on the Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Platelet-derived Growth Factor Receptor (PDGFR) Kinase Inhibitors
Current Drug Metabolism Surface Antigens/Receptors for Targeted Cancer Treatment: The GnRH Receptor / Binding Site for Targeted Adenocarcinoma Therapy
Current Cancer Drug Targets Preface [Hot Topic: Endocrinology Meets Molecular Oncology: Beyond Radioactive Iodine (Guest Editor: Robert C. Smallridge)]
Current Drug Targets - Immune, Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders Tumor Invasion and Oxidative Stress: Biomarkers and Therapeutic Strategies
Current Molecular Medicine Biological Denitrification: Screening of Packing Material, Comparison of Denitrification Rate by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Pseudomonas stutzeri, Application and Design of Bioreactor
Current Environmental Engineering Review of Novel Aspects of the Regulation of Ghrelin Secretion
Current Drug Metabolism Use of Recombinant Human Erythropoietin as an Antianemic and Performance Enhancing Drug
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Therapeutic Potential of Natural Compounds that Regulate the Activity of Protein Kinase C
Current Medicinal Chemistry Steroidal Cardiac Na<sup>+</sup>/K<sup>+</sup> ATPase Inhibitors Exhibit Strong Anti-Cancer Potential <i>in vitro</i> and in Prostate and Lung Cancer Xenografts <i>in vivo</i>
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Prognostic and Predictive Biomarkers in Cancer
Current Cancer Drug Targets