Using a three-dimensional model, Queen's University researchers were able to watch how a mutated RET protein linked to thyroid cancer worked, which might result in the development of drugs to treat and prevent inherited and non-inherited thyroid cancer. The researchers discovered that the protein was ten times more active than normal in cells associated with an inherited cancer syndrome, Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia 2B (MEN 2B).
"We now know why this gene causes these tumors and can start looking at how best to target the mutant proteins so that the cells expressing them can be killed or stopped from growing," says Lois Mulligan, professor of pathology and molecular medicine with the Division of Cancer Biology and Genetics of the Queen's Cancer Research Institute.
According to Medline Plus, thyroid cancer affects one in 1,000 people. Those who had radiation therapy to the neck -- therapy was commonly used in the 1950s to treat enlarged thymus glands, adenoids, tonsils and skin disorders -- are at an increased risk of thyroid cancer. Additional risk factors include chronic goiter and a family history of the disease.
Symptoms of thyroid cancer can be:
- Enlargement of the thyroid gland
- Neck swelling
- A thyroid nodule
- Hoarseness or changing voice
- Cough or cough with bleeding
- Difficulty swallowing
