Bcl2 family targeting in thyroid cancer

Poor prognosis and therapeutic resistance characterise poorly differentiated thyroid tumours (PDTC). By activating Kras and deleting p53 (Trp53) in thyroid follicular cells, Champa and colleagues generated a novel mouse model which is morphologically and functionally similar to human PDTC. They go on to demonstrate that these tumours are intrinsically resistant to apoptosis due to Bcl2 family member expression, and can be targeted by Obatoclax (a Bcl2 family inhibitor). Furthermore, Bcl2 inhibition synergizes with MEK inhibition and doxorubicin in inducing cell death, uncovering a promising drug target for aggressive thyroid cancers.

Read the full article at Champa et al. (2014) Endocrine-Related Cancer 21 755–767. DOI:10.1530/ERC-14-0268