Thyroid hormone promotes differentiation of colon cancer stem cells.
Tumor formation and maintenance depend on a small fraction of cancer stem cells (CSCs) that can self-renew and generate a wide variety of differentiated cells. CSCs are resistant to chemotherapy and radiation, and can represent a reservoir of cancer cells that often cause relapse after treatment. Evidence suggests that CSCs also give rise to metastases. Thyroid hormone (TH) controls a variety of biological processes including the development and functioning of most adult tissues. Recent years has seen the emergence of an intimate link between TH and multiple steps of tumorigenesis. Thyroid hormone controls the balance between the proliferation and differentiation of CSCs, and may thus be a druggable anti-cancer agent. Here, we review current understanding of the effects of TH on colorectal CSCs, including the cross regulatory loops between TH and regulators of CSC stemness. Targeting TH in the tumor microenvironment may improve treatment strategies.
Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", Italy.
Annunziata Gaetana
AG
Cicatiello
IRCCS SDN, Naples, Italy.
Raffaele
R
Ambrosio
Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", Italy; CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate S.c.ar.l., Naples, Italy. Electronic address: monica.dentice@unina.it.
Monica
M
Dentice
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D063646:Carcinogenesis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D003106:Colon / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D005720:Gamma Rays / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D011988:Receptors, Thyroid Hormone / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000819:agonists / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000528:radiation effects
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007527:Isoenzymes; D011988:Receptors, Thyroid Hormone; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase
Cancer stem cells; Deiodinases; Thyroid hormone