title: Autophagy, a novel target for chemotherapeutic intervention of thyroid cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Thyroid cancers with unsatisfactory curative effect nowadays are the most common malignant tumors of the endocrine system. Apoptosis evasion, a hallmark of cancer, has driven the search of stimulating novel cell death way in cancer therapy. This review aims to explore the relationship between autophagy and thyroid cancer, especially the chemotherapy agents which are based on autophagy in treating thyroid cancers.
  
  
  METHODS
  A computerized literature search of MEDLINE was performed using the following search terms: autophagy and thyroid cancer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Recent studies have found that several chemotherapeutic agents and knockdown of specific microRNA may contribute to autophagic tumor cell death in most thyroid cancer types.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Stimulating autophagy may be an effective alternative treatment to most types of thyroid cancer.
authors.affiliation: The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, No. 23, Youzheng Street, Nangang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China.
authors.forename: Le-chen
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Guo-dong
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Xin-jie
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yan-bo
authors.initials: YB
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001343:Autophagy / Q000187:drug effects*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D006801:Humans; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents