Carcinogenesis and therapeutic strategies for thyroid cancer

Abstract

Thyroid carcinogenesis is complex and several etiological factors such as deficit of iodine and selenium, genetic predisposition, female sex hormone, irradiation, chemical carcinogenic agents, are involved in the development of thyroid cancer. These factors can cause molecular abnormalities of signaling pathways involved in proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, which eventually lead to the development and progression of various thyroid neoplasmas. In this chapter we will discuss these molecular abnormalities and emerging anti-cancer strategies to correct the abnormalities and thus to prevent or treat thyroid cancer.