Activating transcription factor 3 mediates apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in TP53-mutated anaplastic thyroid cancer cells.

Background: It is believed that loss of p53 function plays a crucial role in the progression of well to poorly differentiated thyroid cancers including anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC). Given the poor prognosis of ATC due to its strong therapeutic resistance, there is a need to establish new therapeutic targets to extend the survival of ATC patients. Activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) can inhibit the oncogenic activity of mutant p53 and, as a result, contribute to tumor suppression in several TP53-mutated cancers.