Targeting Nrf2 to treat thyroid cancer

Zhongqin Gong; Lingbin Xue; Huangcan Li; Simiao Fan; Charles Andrew van Hasselt; Dongcai Li; Xianhai Zeng; Michael Chi Fai Tong; George Gong Chen

Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy (Apr 2024)

Targeting Nrf2 to treat thyroid cancer

Zhongqin Gong,
Lingbin Xue,
Huangcan Li,
Simiao Fan,
Charles Andrew van Hasselt,
Dongcai Li,
Xianhai Zeng,
Michael Chi Fai Tong,
George Gong Chen

Affiliations

Zhongqin Gong: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China
Lingbin Xue: Shenzhen Key Laboratory of ENT, Institute of ENT & Longgang ENT Hospital, Shenzhen, China
Huangcan Li: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China
Simiao Fan: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China
Charles Andrew van Hasselt: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China
Dongcai Li: Shenzhen Key Laboratory of ENT, Institute of ENT & Longgang ENT Hospital, Shenzhen, China
Xianhai Zeng: Shenzhen Key Laboratory of ENT, Institute of ENT & Longgang ENT Hospital, Shenzhen, China
Michael Chi Fai Tong: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China; Corresponding authors.
George Gong Chen: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China; Corresponding authors.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 173
p. 116324

Abstract

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Oxidative stress (OS) is recognized as a contributing factor in the development and progression of thyroid cancer. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a pivotal transcription factor involved in against OS generated by excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS). It governs the expression of a wide array of genes implicated in detoxification and antioxidant pathways. However, studies have demonstrated that the sustained activation of Nrf2 can contribute to tumor progression and drug resistance in cancers. The expression of Nrf2 was notably elevated in papillary thyroid cancer tissues compared to normal tissues, indicating that Nrf2 may play an oncogenic role in the development of papillary thyroid cancer. Nrf2 and its downstream targets are involved in the progression of thyroid cancer by impacting the prognosis and ferroptosis. Furthermore, the inhibition of Nrf2 can increase the sensitivity of target therapy in thyroid cancer. Therefore, Nrf2 appears to be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of thyroid cancer. This review summarized current data on Nrf2 expression in thyroid cancer, discussed the function of Nrf2 in thyroid cancer, and analyzed various strategies to inhibit Nrf2.

Published in Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy

ISSN: 0753-3322 (Print); 1950-6007 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: France
LCC subjects: Medicine: Therapeutics. Pharmacology
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/biomedicine-and-pharmacotherapy

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