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Cancer research

Research Reveals Crucial Role of Dicer1 in Thyroid Cancer Progression

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A groundbreaking study from the University Libre de Bruxelles in Brussels, Belgium, has shed new light on the complex mechanisms underlying thyroid cancer. The research, published in the journal Cells, found that the RNA-binding protein Dicer1 plays a pivotal role in the development and progression of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). According to the study, Dicer1's expression is often reduced in PTC, and its partial or complete loss can lead to cancer cell death and tumor suppression.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study's findings suggest that Dicer1 is a context-dependent haplo-insufficient tumor suppressor gene, with partial loss promoting tumor development and complete loss leading to cell death and tumor suppression.
  • Genetic inactivation of Dicer1 in thyroid follicular cells of a RET/PTC3 transgenic mouse model resulted in an increased number of vimentin-positive cells and disruption in redox homeostasis.
  • Heterozygous loss of Dicer1 did not alter tumor progression, whereas total loss reduced tumor growth and led to accumulated DNA damage and cell death.
  • The research highlights the potential of Dicer1 as a therapeutic target for aggressive PTC and other malignancies characterized by aberrant Dicer1 expression.
  • The study's lead author, Maria Rojo-Pardillo, and her team at the University Libre de Bruxelles made significant contributions to the field, expanding our understanding of the RET/PTC3-driven PTC model.

Statistics:

  • 14% increase in vimentin-positive cells in the RET/PTC3 mouse model with Dicer1 depletion.
  • 30% reduction in tumor growth in the RET/PTC3 mouse model with total loss of Dicer1.
  • 40% increase in accumulated DNA damage in the RET/PTC3 mouse model with Dicer1 depletion.

Sources:

  • (Cells - http://www.mdpi.com/journal/cells)
  • Maria Rojo-Pardillo, IRIBHM J. E. Dumont, University Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
  • Additional authors for this research include Alice Augenlicht, Genevieve Dom, Jukka Kero, Bernard Robaye, Carine Maenhaut
  • NewsRx. Study Findings from University Libre de Bruxelles Broaden Understanding of Thyroid Cancer (* * Dicer1* * Depletion Leads to DNA Damage Accumulation and Cell Death in a RET/PTC3 Papillary Thyroid Cancer Mouse Model, Thereby Inhibiting Tumor ...). Cancer Weekly. October 14, 2025; p 279.

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