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Erythropoietin in thyroid cancer

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Abstract

Erythropoietin (Epo) and the eporeceptor (EpoR) have been implicated in tumor growth, invasion and metastasis. We previously demonstrated Epo and EpoR expression in a small group of archived papillary thyroid cancers (PTC), but were unable to examine functional integrity using formalin-fixed tissues. In the present study, we examined the in vitro expression, induction and function of Epo and EpoR in papillary (NPA), follicular (WRO) and anaplastic (ARO-81) thyroid cancer cells. We found that all three cell lines expressed Epo and EpoR mRNA and that the hypoxia-mimetic cobalt induced Epo expression in all cell lines. None of the growth factors we examined (thyrotropin, vascular endothelial growth factor, IGF-I, or human Epo) altered Epo or EpoR gene expression. Importantly, however, administration of Epo to NPA but not WRO cells resulted in significant alterations in the expression of several mitogenic genes including cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), β-casein (CSN2), wild type p53-induced gene-1 (WIG1) and cathepsin D (CTSD). Epo treated ARO-81 cells only had an increase in CSN2 expression. We conclude that Epo and EpoR are expressed by thyroid cancers and that stimulation of the Epo/EpoR signal pathway results in changes that could impact on the clinical behavior of thyroid cancers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Australia

    C. M. Yates, A. Patel, K. Oakley, A. Helms & G. L. Francis MD, PhD (Professor and Chief)

  2. National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda

    C. M. Yates

  3. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA

    R. M. Tuttle

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  1. C. M. Yates
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  2. A. Patel
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  3. K. Oakley
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  4. A. Helms
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  6. G. L. Francis MD, PhD
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Correspondence to G. L. Francis MD, PhD.

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The opinions or assertions contained herein are the private views of the authors and are not to be construed as official or to reflect the opinions of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, National Naval Medical Center, the Department of the Army, the Department of the Navy, or the Department of Defense

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Yates, C.M., Patel, A., Oakley, K. et al. Erythropoietin in thyroid cancer. J Endocrinol Invest 29, 320–329 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03344103

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