Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Dedication
- Contents
- List of Contributors
- Preface
- Part 1.1 Analytical techniques: analysis of DNA
- Part 1.2 Analytical techniques: analysis of RNA
- Part 2.1 Molecular pathways underlying carcinogenesis: signal transduction
- Part 2.2 Molecular pathways underlying carcinogenesis: apoptosis
- Part 2.3 Molecular pathways underlying carcinogenesis: nuclear receptors
- Part 2.4 Molecular pathways underlying carcinogenesis: DNA repair
- Part 2.5 Molecular pathways underlying carcinogenesis: cell cycle
- Part 2.6 Molecular pathways underlying carcinogenesis: other pathways
- Part 3.1 Molecular pathology: carcinomas
- Part 3.2 Molecular pathology: cancers of the nervous system
- Part 3.3 Molecular pathology: cancers of the skin
- Part 3.4 Molecular pathology: endocrine cancers
- 64 Oncogenic events and therapeutic targets in thyroid cancer
- 65 The parathyroid glands
- 66 Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2)
- Part 3.5 Molecular pathology: adult sarcomas
- Part 3.6 Molecular pathology: lymphoma and leukemia
- Part 3.7 Molecular pathology: pediatric solid tumors
- Part 4 Pharmacologic targeting of oncogenic pathways
- Index
- References
64 - Oncogenic events and therapeutic targets in thyroid cancer
from Part 3.4 - Molecular pathology: endocrine cancers
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 February 2015
- Frontmatter
- Dedication
- Contents
- List of Contributors
- Preface
- Part 1.1 Analytical techniques: analysis of DNA
- Part 1.2 Analytical techniques: analysis of RNA
- Part 2.1 Molecular pathways underlying carcinogenesis: signal transduction
- Part 2.2 Molecular pathways underlying carcinogenesis: apoptosis
- Part 2.3 Molecular pathways underlying carcinogenesis: nuclear receptors
- Part 2.4 Molecular pathways underlying carcinogenesis: DNA repair
- Part 2.5 Molecular pathways underlying carcinogenesis: cell cycle
- Part 2.6 Molecular pathways underlying carcinogenesis: other pathways
- Part 3.1 Molecular pathology: carcinomas
- Part 3.2 Molecular pathology: cancers of the nervous system
- Part 3.3 Molecular pathology: cancers of the skin
- Part 3.4 Molecular pathology: endocrine cancers
- 64 Oncogenic events and therapeutic targets in thyroid cancer
- 65 The parathyroid glands
- 66 Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2)
- Part 3.5 Molecular pathology: adult sarcomas
- Part 3.6 Molecular pathology: lymphoma and leukemia
- Part 3.7 Molecular pathology: pediatric solid tumors
- Part 4 Pharmacologic targeting of oncogenic pathways
- Index
- References
Summary
The thyroid contains two endocrine cell types: follicular cells, which secrete thyroid hormones, and parafollicular or C cells, the primary source of calcitonin. Most of this chapter is dedicated to reviewing the molecular and phenotypic characteristics of cancers derived from follicular cells, as they represent about 95% of all cancers arising from this gland, focusing in particular on oncoproteins that represent potential therapeutic targets for the disease.
The oncogenic repertoire of thyroid cancers of follicular cells
There are two major histological types of differentiated thyroid cancer: papillary (PTC) and follicular (FTC; Figure 64.1). PTCs arise as sporadic tumors, with a female preponderance, and are the most common form of the disease. Several key genetic events involved in PTC pathogenesis have been identified. Mutations of the receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) RET or TRK, of the three RAS genes (NRAS>HRAS>KRAS), or of BRAF account for about 70% of these tumors. With very rare exceptions mutations in these genes is mutually exclusive in thyroid carcinomas of all stages of differentiation, suggesting that just one activating event in the RTK-Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK pathway is sufficient to drive tumorigenesis (1).
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Molecular OncologyCauses of Cancer and Targets for Treatment, pp. 704 - 711Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2013