Clinical Advances in Thyroid Cancer: Biomarker-Driven Diagnosis, Oncogenesis Insights, and Translational Therapies

A special issue of Current Oncology (ISSN 1718-7729). This special issue belongs to the section "Head and Neck Oncology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 307

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
1. Division of Biochemistry, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, USA
2. Center for Health Disparities & Molecular Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA
Interests: thyroid cancer; molecular biomarkers; enigma oncoprotein; fine needle aspiration
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Thyroid cancer is one of the most common endocrine malignancies, and its diagnosis and management have seen significant advancements in recent years. However, distinguishing between benign and malignant thyroid nodules remains a clinical challenge, particularly in fine-needle aspiration (FNA) samples. The identification of highly sensitive and specific molecular biomarkers, such as the novel oncoprotein Enigma, has the potential to revolutionize the precision of thyroid cancer diagnosis. Additionally, understanding the molecular mechanisms driving thyroid cancer oncogenesis is critical for developing targeted therapies and improving patient outcomes.

This Special Issue aims to highlight the latest research in molecular biomarker discovery, oncogenic pathways, and the translation of these findings into clinical practice.

We welcome original research articles and reviews that explore innovative diagnostic techniques, such as one-step real-time PCR, the role of novel oncoproteins, and the development of targeted therapeutic strategies. Contributions may also address the integration of molecular pathology with clinical decision making, paving the way for precision medicine in thyroid cancer care.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Salma Khan
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • thyroid cancer
  • oncogenesis
  • translational therapies
  • fine-needle aspiration (FNA)
  • precision medicine
  • targeted therapy

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

21 pages, 2610 KiB  
Article
Unraveling Racial Disparities in Papillary Thyroid Cancer: A Comparative Bulk RNA-Sequencing Gene Expression Analysis
by Luiza Barseghyan, Samuel Chan, Celina R. Yamauchi, Andrea Shields, Mia C. Perez, Alfred A. Simental and Salma Khan
Curr. Oncol. 2025, 32(6), 315; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol32060315 - 29 May 2025
Viewed by 204
Abstract
Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the most common thyroid malignancy, with significant racial/ethnic disparities in incidence and survival. Asians have the highest incidence, and recurrence, while African Americans experience the lowest survival rates, suggesting contributions from genetic, environmental, and healthcare-related factors. While socioeconomic [...] Read more.
Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the most common thyroid malignancy, with significant racial/ethnic disparities in incidence and survival. Asians have the highest incidence, and recurrence, while African Americans experience the lowest survival rates, suggesting contributions from genetic, environmental, and healthcare-related factors. While socioeconomic disparities play a role, emerging evidence highlights genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying these differences. This study examines differentially expressed genes (DEGs) to identify potential molecular drivers of PTC disparities. Bulk RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) data from 20 PTC tumors (5 White, 5 African American, 5 Hispanic, and 5 Asian) were analyzed using the UseGalaxy platform. Preprocessing included quality control, adapter trimming, and genome alignment. Differential expression analysis identified genes with p < 0.01 and fold change ≥ 2.5. Volcano plots visualized significant DEGs. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) via eVITTA identified enriched pathways. TCGA data analysis validated racial/ethnic differences in gene expression. Ethnic groups exhibited distinct gene expression profiles. GSEA revealed differences in cell proliferation, immune regulation, and thyroid hormone metabolism. African Americans showed immune suppression and reduced tumor suppressor activity, while Asians exhibited enriched cell cycle and DNA repair pathways. Significant differences were confirmed in some of the genes in TCGA data analysis. This study identifies genetic factors contributing to racial disparities in PTC, emphasizing the need for further validation in larger cohorts and functional studies. Understanding these molecular differences may inform personalized treatment strategies and improve PTC outcomes across diverse populations. Full article
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