Therapeutic Delivery of miR-143 Targeting Tumor Metabolism in Poorly Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Xenografts and Efficacy Evaluation Using F-FDG MicroPET-CT.

Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma cells tend to be more aggressive and show enhanced glucose uptake which could be exploited for anti-cancer strategy. Previously, we identified hexokinase 2 () as a direct target of miR-143. In our current study, the effects of miR-143 on glucose metabolism and tumor biological behavior were investigated in FTC-133 cells which is a poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC). Additionally, tumor-bearing mice xenografts of PDTC were constructed, with encapsulated miR-143 agomir being administered intravenously. F-FDG microPET-CT scanning was used for the evaluation of therapeutic efficacy. The tumor-restrained effect of miR-143 was demonstrated in PDTC. Furthermore, microPET/CT imaging exhibited a reduction of F-FDG uptake in tumors, corresponding to the downregulated expression of HK2 in tissues. In summary, our results suggest that miR-143 can be an alternative treatment for PDTC and the specific assessment of therapeutic response to miR-143 can be achieved by F-FDG microPET/CT in advanced thyroid carcinoma xenografts.