On the role of autophagy in the progression of differentiated thyroid cancer (literature review)

The aim of the study was to analyze and summarize available literature data on the role of autophagy in thyroid cancer. Material and methods. We analyzed 34 publications available from pubmed and elibrary. Ru databases concerning thyroid cancer and autophagy. Results. The review discussed the role of autophagy in the progression of thyroid cancer. The development of autophagy-targeted therapy was shown can improve treatment for thyroid cancer. Differentiated thyroid cancer (dtc) is the most common endocrine malignancy. Treatment of dtc patients who are resistant to radioactive iodine therapy is a major challenge. Molecular targeted therapy using tyrosine kinase inhibitors significantly improves treatment outcomes. Conclusion. To enhance the therapeutic effect of treatment with multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitors, as well as to overcome drug resistance, it is necessary to study the role of autophagy in the development and progression of thyroid cancer.

Planning and diagnostic nursing strategy in the clinical management of the patient with hyperthroidism

Hyperthyroidism is a common disease that affects 0.8% of the population in Europe. It occurs when the thyroid gland produces more thyroid hormones than your body needs. There are several types of treatment, such as antithyroid drugs, treatment with radioactive iodine (131I) and finally surgery, in addition to these treatments, reference is made to a good hygienic-dietary orientation. Objective: to assess from the nursing field the safest and most effective type of hyperthyroidism treatment, including the risk factors to take into account when carrying out these. Methodology: systematic searches were carried out in bibliographic sources of trials and articles published between 2015 and 2021. Including studies that contained data on risk factors for hyperthyroidism. Results: of 426 related articles found, 13 met the inclusion criteria. Total thyroidectomy surgery induced a 26% therapeutic failure rate and 95% radioactive iodine treatment compared to the 19.1% therapeutic failure in antithyroid drug treatment. Conclusion: Despite the verification of the efficacy of all existing hyperthyroidism treatments, antithyroid drugs have greater efficacy and safety than the rest of the treatments studied, in relation to the time and rate of remission. On the other hand, risk factors such as tobacco and female sex are evidenced, which are negative factors when carrying out treatment for hyperthyroidism.

Morphological Characteristics of the Lacrimal Apparatus in its Obstruction of Various Genesis

Purpose: morphological assessment of the lacrimal ducts at various anatomical levels in patients with primary (PANDO) and secondary (SALDO) obstruction after radioactive iodine therapy.Methods. The material was obtained during endoscopic dacryocystorinostomy with revision of Hasner's valve in patients with PANDO (n=7) in the distal segments of the nasolacrimal duct and in patients with SALDO (n=7) after radioactive iodine therapy. During the surgery, a biopsy of Hasner's valve, as well as a biopsy of the lacrimal sac wall were performed. The resulting material was stained with hemotoxylin and eosin, alcyan blue and by Masson method. Morphological and morphometric analyses were performed in semi-automatic mode. The results of histochemical staining of sections were translated into points taking into account the area and optical density (chromogenicity) in relative units: 1 – weak (0 – 0.3); 2 – moderate (0.3 – 0.6); 3 – significant (>0.6). The nonparametric Mann-Whitney criterion was used for statistical analysis. The differences were considered significant at p<0.05.Results. The comparative morphological study both confirmed the available information concerning the radiation nature of the obstruction and allowed to quantify the fibrosis level of the stromal component and other lacrimal ducts structures.Conclusion. It was shown that the nasolacrimal duct sclerosis is significantly lower (p=0.029) in patients with SALDO than in patients with PANDO while fibrosis in the lacrimal sac is the same in patients of the compared groups.

2022 ETA Consensus Statement: What are the indications for post-surgical radioiodine therapy in differentiated thyroid cancer?

Modern use of post-operative radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) should be implemented in line with patients’ risk stratification. Although beneficial effects of radioiodine are undisputed in high-risk patients, controversy remains in intermediate-risk and some low-risk patients. Since the last consensus on post-surgical use of RAI in DTC patients, new retrospective data and results of prospective randomized trials have been published, which have allowed the development of a new European Thyroid Association (ETA) statement for the indications of post-surgical RAI therapy in DTC. Questions about which patients are candidates for RAI therapy, which activities of RAI can be used, and which modalities of pre-treatment patient preparation should be used are addressed in the present guidelines.

Sintering Bi2O3–B2O3–ZnO ternary low temperature glass by hydration device to solidify iodine containing silver-coated silica gel

A new glass solidification process aims at radioactive iodine waste was explored in order to reduce the possible harm to environment. Samples with different iodine content in silver-coated silica gel were pretreated by hydration device at 300 °C and then sintered at relatively low temperatures (500, 550 and 600 °C). XRD results show that AgI is mainly chemically fixed in the glass network with some AgI particles being physically wrapped by the glass. Moreover, as the sintering temperature reached to 550 °C, B element crystallized. SEM-EDS results show that Ag and I elements are enriched, while the other elements are evenly distributed. AFM results showed that the sample surface becomes rougher as the iodine content increases in the silver coated silica gel. The FT-IR results show that the structure of the sintered sample is mainly composed of [BiO3], [BiO6] and [BO3]. This study provides a new sintering method by hydration device for the treatment of radioactive iodine waste.

Secondary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction due to the toxic effect of antineoplastic agents

In recent years, the use of chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of cancer became more common. At the same time, the number of complications associated with this is also increasing. Among the rare complications of therapy with some antitumor drugs is the formation of secondary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction. The aim was to analyze and systematize information about secondary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction due to the toxic effect of antitumor drugs. Materials and methods. The authors analyzed the literature available in the MEDLINE and RSCI search engines in February 2021. The analysis included 55 publications. Results. In the literature, there are indications that such antitumor drugs as 5-fluorouracil and similar drugs, mitomycin C, as well as therapy with radioactive iodine, are characterized by the possibility of developing complications in the form of secondary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Preliminary screening of the drainage function of the tear ducts, as well as prescribing of local anti-inflammatory and antibacterial treatment in the form of instillations in the conjunctival sac can help to reduce the risk of complications. This explains the need to recommend patients to consult an ophthalmologist if there are relevant complaints before or during treatment. In the absence of timely treatment, obstruction of the tear ducts often becomes an indication for reconstructive interventions. Conclusion. Secondary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction is one of the rare, but systematically occurring complications of antitumor therapy. To date, the pathogenesis of these complications is not fully understood, and some of the data is contradictory. In the future, the accumulation of knowledge concerning the pathogenesis of this complication will contribute to the development of personalized methods of prevention.

Rationale for therapeutic decision-making in locally advanced and metastatic radioactive iodine (RAI)-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer, starting from a clinical case

Iodine uptake and organification are the hallmarks of thyroid cells differentiation. The loss of these characteristics in thyroid cancer leads to radioactive iodine refractoriness, a rare condition that bears a low survival rate and poor prognosis. We present a 52-year-old patient presenting dry cough and dyspnea in the supine position. Imaging examinations revealed a thyroid nodule with a high suspicion of malignancy in the right thyroid lobe, multiple laterocervical and mediastinal lymph nodes, lung, bone, and brain metastases. Fine needle aspiration cytologic features have advocated for papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). The patient underwent total thyroidectomy and selective lymphadenectomy. Subsequently, the patient received suppressive treatment with levothyroxine and four courses of radioactive iodine therapy. In addition, to treat bone and brain metastases, the patient experienced external radiotherapy and glucocorticoid therapy. Despite this rigorous therapeutic management, the patient obtained an incomplete structural and functional response. Although the last two posttherapeutic 131I whole-body scans were negative, the patient had elevated stimulated thyroglobulin levels and loco-regional recurrence by thyroid ultrasound. This aspect would suggest that thyroid cells become unable to uptake 131I, most likely through the emergence of new genetic mutations in the cancer cells. In conclusion, our patient's case suggests a 131I-refractory PTC, requiring the initiation of novel targeted systemic agents such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors, in order to improve structural and functional outcomes of radioactive iodine therapy and to afford prolonged progression-free survival advantage.