Can Butein be a Future Candidate for the Treatment of Advance Metastatic Thyroid Cancer?

Abstract

The incidence and prevalence of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) are increasing worldwide and it is the 5th most common endocrine cancer in females [1]. In addition to this, the frequency of resistance toward radio-iodine therapy is also increasing in PTC patients (Advanced metastatic thyroid cancer). External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and chemotherapy are used for the treatment of such patients. EBRT and Chemotherapy are associated with serious side effects and toxicity. US-FDA has also approved two drugs (Sorafenib and Lenvatinib) for the treatment of advanced thyroid cancer patients. However, the efficacy of both drugs is limited in terms of overall survival and disease-free survival and associated with severe toxicities [2]. Hence, the treatment of patients with advanced metastatic thyroid cancer represents a major challenge for clinicians and oncologists. In such patients, tumor cells show invasion in local neck regions, lungs, and bones [3]. Metastasis is the most dangerous aspect of cancer and is responsible for 90% of deaths of cancer. Epithelial -mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer stem cells (CSC) are the driving forces of metastasis and therapeutic resistance [4]. Hence, this axis of EMT and CSCs is a major target from the new therapy point of view.