Structure and function of the TSH receptor: its suitability as a target for radiotherapy.
Systemic radiotherapy, such as radioimmunotherapy, is an exciting and rapidly growing field of medical therapeutics for a variety of solid and diffuse human malignancies. This therapy involves the systemic administration of a radionuclide, attached to a carrier ligand (such as hormone analogue or monoclonal antibody), which becomes directed at the tumor through a target receptor or antigen that resides within the malignant tissue. The thyrotropin receptor (TSHr) is a membrane-bound glycoprotein through which the pituitary communicates with thyroid follicular cells. Because it is a thyroid-specific protein and is expressed frequently in differentiated thyroid cancers, it is a potential candidate target for systemic radiotherapy of these malignancies. I will examine the general structure of TSHr and its potential utility such as a target. Several obstacles regarding the concentration and distribution of TSHr as well as the availability of a suitable carrier ligand must be overcome before radioimmunotherapy of thyroid cancers using TSHr as target becomes a reality.
Morris
J C
JC
Division of Endocrinology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016499:Radioimmunotherapy; D011989:Receptors, Thyrotropin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*
D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D011989:Receptors, Thyrotropin