NTRK-fusions in pediatric thyroid tumors: Current state and future perspectives

Cancer Genet. 2022 Jun:264-265:23-28. doi: 10.1016/j.cancergen.2022.02.009. Epub 2022 Mar 6.

Abstract

Pediatric and adult papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) share many similar oncogenic drivers, but differ in the pathological features and outcomes of the disease. The most frequent genetic alterations in adult PTCs are mutually exclusive point mutations in BRAF or the RAS family. In pediatric PTC, fusion oncogenes involving chromosomal translocations in tyrosine kinase (TK) receptors, most commonly RET and NTRK, are the most common genetic alterations observed. This review of the literature describes the current state of translational research in pediatric NTRK-driven thyroid cancer and highlights opportunities to improve our understanding and current models of pediatric PTC.

Keywords: Adult thyroid cancer; Mouse models; NTRK fusion; Oncogene; Pediatric.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Gene Fusion
  • Humans
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf* / genetics
  • Thyroid Cancer, Papillary / genetics
  • Thyroid Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Thyroid Neoplasms* / pathology

Substances

  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf