Epigenetic Remodeling in Thyroid Cancer: New Dimensions of Targeted Therapy Through lncRNA Modulation

TL;DR

This study explores how combining epigenetic drugs with chemotherapy can alter gene activity and improve thyroid cancer treatment outcomes.

Contribution

The study demonstrates that combining epigenetic modulators with chemotherapeutic agents can alter lncRNA expression and DNA methylation in thyroid cancer cells.

Findings

Some drug treatments modulated cell cycle and apoptosis, showing anti-tumor activity.

Treatments increased global DNA methylation levels compared to untreated cells.

Combinations upregulated DNMT1 and DNMT3B while decreasing EZH2 levels.

Abstract

Thyroid carcinomas are phenotypically heterogeneous malignancies. Advances in molecular and cellular technologies have revealed genetic, epigenetic, and nongenetic factors underlying this heterogeneity. Our study aimed to assess the impact of single and combined treatments with anticancer agents (Carboplatin, Doxorubicin, Paclitaxel, Avastin), natural compounds (Quercetin), and epigenetic modulators (suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid and 5-Azacytidine) on the expression of long noncoding RNAs, methylation regulators, and functional features in the human thyroid cancer cell line K1. Methods: Treated and untreated K1 cells were used throughout experiments to evaluate the drug-induced cytotoxicity, apoptosis, cell cycle distribution, cytokine release, gene expression, and global DNA methylation levels. Results: Some single- and combined-drug treatments modulated both cell cycle progression and apoptotic events, demonstrating anti-tumor activity of the tested compounds. Gene expression analysis showed treatment-specific regulation of target genes and lncRNAs, including both upregulation and downregulation across different drug combinations. All treatments resulted in increased global DNA methylation levels compared to the untreated controls. Several combinations significantly upregulated DNMT1 and DNMT3B, while concomitantly decreased EZH2 levels. Conclusions: These coordinated epigenetic changes highlight the therapeutic potential of combining epigenetic modulators with chemotherapeutic agents, suggesting a strategy to prevent or reverse treatment resistance and improve outcomes in thyroid cancer patients.

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