Promising Approaches in Plant-Based Therapies for Thyroid Cancer - An Overview of In Vitro, In Vivo, and Clinical Trial Studies

Sep 21, 2026

Thyroid cancer, especially undifferentiated tumors, presents a major therapeutic challenge because responses to standard treatments remain limited. With differentiated thyroid carcinomas increasingly common worldwide, and anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) rare yet highly aggressive, alternative options are urgently needed. This literature review compiles evidence on photodynamic therapy (PDT) paired with plant-derived compounds and phytochemicals, including quercetin and related agents, detailing reported anti-proliferative activity in in vitro and in vivo studies and mechanisms supporting a potential role for patients with refractory disease.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages14

Reading Time35 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Thyroid cancer epidemiology and genetic characteristics

Therapeutic limitations and rationale for PDT

Review Promising Approaches in Plant-Based Therapies for Thyroid Cancer: An Overview of In Vitro, In Vivo, and Clinical Trial Studies Ilona Kaczmarzyk, Martyna Nowak-Perlak and Marta Wo´zniak * Citation: Kaczmarzyk, I.; Nowak-Perlak, M.; Wo´zniak, M. Promising Approaches in Plant-Based Therapies for Thyroid Cancer: An Overview of In Vitro, In Vivo, and Clinical Trial Studies. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25, 4463. [https://doi.org/](https://doi.org/)[ ](https://doi.org/)[10.3390/ijms25084463](10.3390/ijms25084463) Academic Editors: Artur Bossowski and Malgorzata Gabriela Wasniewska Received: 29 February 2024 Revised: 22 March 2024 Accepted: 28 March 2024 Published: 18 April 2024 Copyright: © 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license ([https://](https://)[ ](https://)[creativecommons.org/licenses/by/](creativecommons.org/licenses/by/)[ ](creativecommons.org/licenses/by/)[4.0/](4.0/)) . Department of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Division of General and Experimental Pathology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland; [ilona.kaczmarzyk@umw.edu.pl](ilona.kaczmarzyk@umw.edu.pl) (I.K.); [martyna.nowak-perlak@umw.edu.pl](martyna.nowak-perlak@umw.edu.pl) (M.N.-P.) * [Correspondence: marta.wozniak@umw.edu.pl](Correspondence: marta.wozniak@umw.edu.pl) Abstract: Thyroid cancer, particularly undifferentiated tumors, poses a significant challenge due to its limited response to standard therapies. The incidence of thyroid cancer, predominantly differentiated carcinomas, is on the rise globally. Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC), though rare, is highly aggressive and challenging to treat. Therefore, this study aimed to collect data and explore alternative treatments, focusing on the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) combined with natural compounds as well as the potential role of phytochemicals, including quercetin, kaempferol, apigenin, genistein, daidzein, naringenin, hesperitin, anthocyanidins, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), resveratrol, ellagic acid, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, curcumin, saponins, ursolic acid, indole-3-carbinol (I3C), capsaicin, and piperine in thyroid cancer treatment. PDT, utilizing sensitizers activated by tumordirected light, demonstrates promising specificity compared to traditional treatments. Combining PDT with natural photosensitizers, such as hypericin and genistein, enhances cytotoxicity against thyroid carcinoma cells. This literature review summarizes the current knowledge on phytochemicalsand their anti-proliferative effects in in vitro and in vivo studies, emphasizing their effectiveness and mechanism of action as a novel therapeutic approach for thyroid cancers, especially those refractory to standard treatments. Keywords: photodynamic therapy; phytochemicals; thyroid cancer; oxidative stress; natural substances 1. Introduction According to the most recent Global Cancer Observatory data from 2020, thyroid cancer is to blame for 586,000 cancer incidences globally [1] . In spite of similar death rates (0.5 per 100,000 population), thyroid cancer incidence rates are three times greater in women than in men (21 vs. 7 per 100,000 population) . Certain passive tumors, such as the encapsulated follicular variety of papillary thyroid carcinoma, which account for around 20% of thyroid cancer diagnoses in the United States, have a recurrence rate of less than 1% at 15 years. Such effects occur after restricted surgery (thyroid lobectomy) [2] . All around the globe, the incidence is increasing. Nearly all thyroid cancers (>90%) are differentiated thyroid carcinomas (DTCs), which including papillary (PTC) and follicular carcinomas [3] . Undifferentiated thyroid cancers like anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) are a rare type of cancer in the US, accounting for 1.3–9.8% of the worldwide incidence [4] . Made mostly of un

FAQs

Why is thyroid cancer, particularly anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, difficult to treat?

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is rare but highly aggressive and difficult to manage due to its high mutation burden and multiple genetic abnormalities. Limited responsiveness to standard therapies further restricts effective treatment options.

What treatment approach does the review emphasize for thyroid cancer?

The review emphasizes photodynamic therapy (PDT) activated by tumor-directed light, especially when combined with natural compounds and phytochemicals. It highlights improved specificity and enhanced cytotoxicity in reported studies.

Which phytochemicals are discussed as potential contributors to anticancer effects?

The review discusses a range of phytochemicals, including quercetin, kaempferol, apigenin, genistein, daidzein, resveratrol, curcumin, EGCG, ellagic acid, ferulic acid, and others. It focuses on their anti-proliferative and mechanistic roles across in vitro and in vivo evidence.

Sep 21, 2026

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