About this Research Topic
The molecular characterization of thyroid carcinomas has revolutionized the diagnostic ability of clinicians to better define the nature of thyroid nodules, as well as the landscape of targeted therapies for patients with advanced thyroid carcinoma. Aberrant signaling pathways primarily involving the intracellular MAP kinase and PI3 kinase pathways have been implicated in the onset, progression, and invasiveness of thyroid cancer and the understanding of the molecular events that disrupt these pathways has provided an array of treatment tools for patients with metastatic disease. Most recently, the interaction between the tumor, its bone marrow-derived microenvironment, and the immune response of the host has been a major focus of interest that attempts to shed light on the pathogenesis of the disease.
Recent years have seen breakthrough discoveries in our ability to redifferentiate radio-iodine refractory tumors and treat medullary and anaplastic thyroid cancer by targeting the specific molecular events that give rise to the tumor. Additionally, acquired resistance to these therapies has emerged in the form of tumor heterogeneity or additional mutations accumulated over time and major efforts are being undertaken to overcome it. There is an unmet medical need to advance the field of drug development and targeted therapies in thyroid carcinoma by promoting the continued study of intracellular events that disrupt the normal signaling of cells and therefore promote unregulated growth as well as the study of the tumor and its microenvironment.
Within this research topic we encourage the submission of manuscripts related to thyroid cancer tumorigenesis, novel targeted therapies, mechanisms of resistance, immuno-oncology and clonal hematopoiesis. All types of thyroid carcinoma including well-differentiated, poorly differentiated, Hurthle cell carcinoma, anaplastic carcinoma, and medullary thyroid carcinoma apply. Innovative approaches in the field will promote the development of personalized treatment strategies. This research topic includes, but is not limited to the following examples:
- Genomic and transcriptomic characterization of thyroid cancer.
- Novel molecular targets.
- Mechanisms of resistance to established therapies.
- Combination therapies.
- Effect of tumor micro-environment alone and in the context of targeted therapies on tumor biology.
- Effect of clonal hematopoiesis on thyroid tumor biology.
- Immune-mediated therapies as adjuncts to targeted therapies.
Recent years have seen breakthrough discoveries in our ability to redifferentiate radio-iodine refractory tumors and treat medullary and anaplastic thyroid cancer by targeting the specific molecular events that give rise to the tumor. Additionally, acquired resistance to these therapies has emerged in the form of tumor heterogeneity or additional mutations accumulated over time and major efforts are being undertaken to overcome it. There is an unmet medical need to advance the field of drug development and targeted therapies in thyroid carcinoma by promoting the continued study of intracellular events that disrupt the normal signaling of cells and therefore promote unregulated growth as well as the study of the tumor and its microenvironment.
Within this research topic we encourage the submission of manuscripts related to thyroid cancer tumorigenesis, novel targeted therapies, mechanisms of resistance, immuno-oncology and clonal hematopoiesis. All types of thyroid carcinoma including well-differentiated, poorly differentiated, Hurthle cell carcinoma, anaplastic carcinoma, and medullary thyroid carcinoma apply. Innovative approaches in the field will promote the development of personalized treatment strategies. This research topic includes, but is not limited to the following examples:
- Genomic and transcriptomic characterization of thyroid cancer.
- Novel molecular targets.
- Mechanisms of resistance to established therapies.
- Combination therapies.
- Effect of tumor micro-environment alone and in the context of targeted therapies on tumor biology.
- Effect of clonal hematopoiesis on thyroid tumor biology.
- Immune-mediated therapies as adjuncts to targeted therapies.
Keywords: molecular testing, targeted therapy, thyroid cancer, resistance mechanisms, immuno-oncology.
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