[Genetic alterations in MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways and the generation, progression, diagnosis and therapy of thyroid cancer].

The mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) and phoshoinositide-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathways play a major role in regulating cell growth, proliferation and apoptosis, via transmission of cell signals to cell nucleus. The genes, coding the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt signaling cascade proteins, are significantly mutated in thyroid cancer. Genetic alternations contribute to aberrant activations and interaction of MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways in consequence of malignant follicular cell transformation and progression. This review focuses mainly on the role of genetic alterations in coding MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway proteins in generation, progression and diagnosis of thyroid cancer. Moreover, it additionally points out a therapeutic potential in restoring iodine avidity of thyroid cancer cells for radionuclide targeted treatment, by synergistically inhibiting activity of signaling pathways.