Thyroid receptor β might be responsible for breast cancer associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis: a new insight into pathogenesis

Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting females worldwide. Often it is observed that women suffering from Hashimoto's thyroiditis exhibit a greater propensity towards development of breast cancer. The exact mechanism for the same is unknown. However, multiple experimental evidences suggest a significant role of thyroid receptor beta (TR-beta) in regulating cell growth and proliferation and thus play a potent role as a tumor suppressor in several cancers, including breast cancer. Thyroid receptor beta shows anti-proliferative action through mediators like beta-catenin, RUNX2, PI3K/AKT, and cyclin regulation. The present review explores the link between these pathways and how they may be dysregulated due to Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Further, we propose a new mechanism for cancer prognosis associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which may lead to the development of TR-beta targeting as a novel therapeutic approach.

Automated summary

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in females worldwide, and women with Hashimoto's thyroiditis are more likely to develop it. The thyroid receptor beta has been found to act as a tumor suppressor in various cancers, including breast cancer, through regulating cell growth and proliferation. The dysregulation of these pathways may be caused by Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Therefore, targeting TR-beta could be a novel therapeutic approach for breast cancer.