Thyroid status as prognostic marker in oncology
In spite of advances in the treatment of malignant tumors of various localizations, in general, the survival rate for a variety of clinical entities remains unsatisfactory. There is no doubt that the predictive value of clinical stage of disease is very valuable. However in each particular case the correlation between the stage of disease and its outcome is rather probable than absolute. The current laboratory and pathological methods of risk assessment of course and recurrence of tumor in patients suffered from malignancies are not always sufficient, adequate and in most cases are able to ascertain a certain degree of risk without dosage adjustment possibilities. In the middle of the last century hypothyroidism was recognized as a risk factor for the development of certain malignancies, such as breast cancer, that has for several decades thesis conclusive clinical oncology. However at the turn of the century advances in molecular biology have called into question many of the existing dogma of experimental and clinical oncology. The review presents data about nongenomic properties of thyroid hormones (TH). Extracellular domains of integrin αVβ3, which is cell adhesion protein, are entrance for nongenomic way of TH. Binding of TH to αVβ3 results in activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (fosfatidil-inositol-3-kinase). The finale effects of TH nongenomic action are cell proliferation, angiogenesis, migration of cells and elevated expression of tissue specific inflammatory genes. The clinical studies presented here trace pattern between increase in response to treatment and increase in survival of cancer patients with hypothyroid condition.