Tumor Microbial Communities and Thyroid Cancer Development—The Protective Role of Antioxidant Nutrients: Application Strategies and Future Directions

Abstract

Thyroid cancer (TC), the most frequent malignancy of the endocrine system, has recorded an increasing incidence in the last decades. The etiology of TC remains at least partly unknown and, among modifiable risk factors, the gut microbiota and dietary nutrients (vitamins, essential microelements, polyphenols, probiotics) have been recognized to not only influence thyroid function, but exert critical effects on TC development and progression. Recent discoveries on the existence of tumor microbiota also in the TC microenvironment provide further evidence for the essential role of tumor microorganisms in TC etiology and severity, as well as acting as prognostic markers and as a potential target of adjuvant care in the treatment of TC patients. Therefore, in this review, we summarize current knowledge on the relationship of the tumor microbiome with the clinical tumor characteristics and TC progression, also illustrating the molecular mechanisms underlying this association, and how antioxidant nutrients may be used as a novel strategy to both control gut health and reduce the risk for TC. Furthermore, we discuss how new technologies might be exploited for the development of new foods with high nutritional values, antioxidant capability, and even attractiveness to the individual in terms of sensory and emotional features.

Vitamin D: An Essential Nutrient in the Dual Relationship between Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases and Celiac Disease—A Comprehensive Review

“…The human microbiome is a complex aggregate of all microorganisms residing at various sites in the human body [ 65 ], with the term “microbiome” accounting for all microbiota-related genomes and estimated to encode approximately 10 times more genes than the whole human genome [ 66 , 67 ]. The gut microbiota, composed of over 100 trillion microorganisms, mainly complex bacteria and a small amount of viruses and fungi, is implicated in maintaining the host’s state of health [ 14 ]. Any compositional and functional alterations of the gut microflora, namely dysbiosis, resulting in an imbalance of pathogenic and protective microbes in the host [ 68 ], is involved in the breakdown of this mutualistic relationship and, consequently, in the onset or worsening of pathologies internal and external to the gastrointestinal tract [ 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 ].…”

“…The intestinal microbiota is dominated by anaerobic bacteria, including the phyla of Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Verrucomicrobia, with Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes representing 90% of its total amount [ 16 , 73 ]. Thanks to significant advances in the technology of diagnostic methods (i.e., 16S rRNA sequencing on fecal samples), the role of the intestinal microbiota is expanding [ 14 ]. In addition to functions related to the control of gastrointestinal homeostasis, metabolism, detoxification, and vitamin synthesis, the gut microbiota has a key role in the development of the lymphoid system, 70% of which constitutes the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), including macrophages, dendritic cells (DCs), T and B cells, and natural killer cells [ 70 , 74 ].…”

“…On the other hand, accumulating evidence indicates that modifications in the gut microbiota composition, i.e., a large number of microorganisms in the human gastrointestinal tract forming a symbiotic relationship with the host, have been related to the onset of numerous autoimmune disorders, such as type I diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, inflammatory bowel disease, Behçet’s disease, autoimmune skin conditions, and autoimmune neurological diseases, which also supports a possible role for microbiota alterations in the pathogenesis and progression of AITD [ 12 , 13 ]. Additionally, there is also a close association between thyroid hormone and the intestine in physiological conditions since the intestine is one of the target organs of triiodothyronine, with the gut microbiota pivotal in the homeostasis of thyroid function, as it influences iodothyronine synthesis, conversion, and storage, as well as through immune regulation [ 14 ].…”

Analyzing the Histopathological Profiles of Thyroid Disorders in the Urban Setting of Mosul

“…Dysfunction of the thyroid gland can result in a spectrum of disorders, ranging from benign nodules to malignant tumors, each presenting distinctive histopathological features (Ali, 2023). Despite advancements in medical science, there exists a need for a comprehensive investigation into the specific histopathological profiles of thyroid disorders within the context of Mosul's urban environment (Gorini & Tonacci, 2023).…”

“…Thyroid disorders represent a significant health concern globally, impacting millions of individuals and affecting various aspects of physiological well-being (Gorini & Tonacci, 2023;Wróblewski et al, 2023). In the urban landscape of Mosul, a city with its unique demographic and environmental characteristics, understanding the histopathological patterns of thyroid diseases becomes paramount for effective clinical management and public health strategies.…”