MicroRNA Dynamics in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that modulate gene expression at a post-transcriptional level and play pivotal roles in the initiation, progression and metastatic behaviour of papillary thyroid carcinoma. Dysregulated microRNA expression in papillary lesions influences key signalling cascades—such as MAPK and AKT/mTOR—by targeting oncogenes, tumour suppressors and components of the microenvironment. Clusters of overexpressed microRNAs can enhance cell proliferation, migration and invasion, while downregulated species may unleash survival pathways and contribute to radioiodine resistance. Profiling studies have delineated signatures that distinguish classical and follicular variants, predict extrathyroidal extension and stratify risk of lymph node metastasis. Beyond mechanistic insights, circulating microRNAs have emerged as minimally invasive biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of therapeutic response. Experimental restoration or inhibition of specific microRNAs in vitro and in animal models has demonstrated the feasibility of microRNA-based interventions, laying the groundwork for targeted therapies that complement existing surgical and radioiodine approaches. Continued integration of microRNA dynamics with multi-omic data promises to refine patient stratification and to inform personalised management strategies in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have quantified expression changes of microRNA-221 and microRNA-222 in patient tissue and demonstrated that these two microRNAs act in concert to modify the tumour microenvironment. Overexpression of this cluster in papillary thyroid carcinoma specimens correlates with increased cell proliferation and altered immune cell infiltration. Functional assays further reveal that modulation of miR-221/222 levels in thyroid cancer cells affects downstream networks involved in cell cycle control and adhesion, underscoring their potential as both mechanistic probes and therapeutic targets.

MicroRNA Dynamics in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in microrna dynamics in papillary thyroid carcinoma across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

microRNA: Short non-coding RNA molecule that regulates gene expression by binding to messenger RNAs and inhibiting translation or promoting degradation.

Post-transcriptional regulation: Control of gene expression that occurs after mRNA synthesis but before protein translation.

Biogenesis: The multistep intracellular process by which microRNAs are transcribed, processed and matured into functional regulatory molecules.

Tumour suppressor: Gene or molecule that restrains cell proliferation or survival; its loss or inactivation can contribute to cancer development.

Oncogene: Gene or molecule whose activation or overexpression drives cell transformation and tumour progression.

Biomarker: Measurable biological indicator used to detect, diagnose or predict the course of a disease, or to monitor therapeutic response.

References

1. Unraveling the Significance of DGCR8 and miRNAs in Thyroid Carcinoma. Cells (2024).
2. Identification of transcriptional level variations in microRNA-221 and microRNA-222 as alternate players in the thyroid cancer tumor microenvironment. Scientific Reports (2023).
3. miR-451a is underexpressed and targets AKT/mTOR pathway in papillary thyroid carcinoma. Oncotarget (2016).
4. MicroRNA-146b: A Novel Biomarker and Therapeutic Target for Human Papillary Thyroid Cancer. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2017).
5. MiRNA-146b-5p upregulates migration and invasion of different Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma cells. BMC Cancer (2016).
6. Expression Profile and Clinical Significance of MicroRNAs in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma. Molecules (2014).
7. New global analysis of the microRNA transcriptome of primary tumors and lymph node metastases of papillary thyroid cancer. BMC Genomics (2015).