Promising Role of Alkaloids in the Prevention and Treatment of Thyroid Cancer and Autoimmune Thyroid Disease - A Comprehensive Review of the Current Evidence

Sep 22, 2026

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Thyroid cancer and thyroid autoimmune disorders are among the most common conditions in the general population, with higher incidence in women. Chronic inflammation and autoimmunity are central to carcinogenesis, and autoimmune thyroid disease has been proposed as a possible risk factor for thyroid cancer, though the relationship remains debated. Because prevention and effective treatment are not always feasible, new therapeutic approaches are required. Alkaloids, as secondary plant metabolites with anticancer and immunomodulatory activities, may offer promising prophylactic and treatment options. This review synthesizes current published evidence focusing on mechanisms and pathways involved in thyroid cancer and AITD development and progression.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages18

Reading Time45 min

AccessFree to download

1. Introduction

Alkaloid definitions and biological activities

Rationale for reviewing alkaloids in thyroid disease

2. Thyroid cancer overview

Incidence trends and survival

Prognosis and limitations of current therapy

Review Promising Role of Alkaloids in the Prevention and Treatment of Thyroid Cancer and Autoimmune Thyroid Disease: A Comprehensive Review of the Current Evidence Giulia Di Dalmazi 1,2, *, Cesidio Giuliani 1,2, Ines Bucci 1,2, Marco Mascitti 1,2 and Giorgio Napolitano 1,2 Citation: Di Dalmazi, G.; Giuliani, C.; Bucci, I.; Mascitti, M.; Napolitano, G. Promising Role of Alkaloids in the Prevention and Treatment of Thyroid Cancer and Autoimmune Thyroid Disease: A Comprehensive Review of the Current Evidence. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25, 5395. [https://doi.org/](https://doi.org/)[ ](https://doi.org/)[10.3390/ijms25105395](10.3390/ijms25105395) Academic Editor: Qiang Zhang Received: 21 March 2024 Revised: 10 May 2024 Accepted: 13 May 2024 Published: 15 May 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/)) . 1 Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; [cesidio.giuliani@unich.it](cesidio.giuliani@unich.it) (C.G.); [ibucci@unich.it](ibucci@unich.it) (I.B.); [gnapol@unich.it](gnapol@unich.it) (G.N.) 2 Department of Medicine and Aging Science, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy * Correspondence: [giulia.didalmazi@unich.it](giulia.didalmazi@unich.it) Abstract: Thyroid cancer (TC) and thyroid autoimmune disorders (AITD) are among the most common diseases in the general population, with higher incidence in women. Chronic inflammation and autoimmunity play a pivotal role in carcinogenesis. Some studies, indeed, have pointed out the presence of AITD as a risk factor for TC, although this issue remains controversial. Prevention of autoimmune disease and cancer is the ultimate goal for clinicians and scientists, but it is not always feasible. Thus, new treatments, that overcome the current barriers to prevention and treatment of TC and AITD are needed. Alkaloids are secondary plant metabolites endowed with several biological activities including anticancer and immunomodulatory properties. In this perspective, alkaloids may represent a promising source of prophylactic and therapeutic agents for TC and AITD. This review encompasses the current published literature on alkaloids effects on TC and AITD, with a specific focus on the pathways involved in TC and AITD development and progression. Keywords: alkaloids; drug discovery; thyroid cancer cell lines; thyroiditis; cell proliferation; apoptosis; anti-cancer agent 1. Introduction Alkaloids are naturally organic compounds containing at least one basic nitrogen atom. These compounds are found primarily in plants as secondary metabolites and are important for plants in the defense against herbivores and pathogenic organisms [1] . Alkaloids have been classified, based on their heterocyclic ring system and biosynthetic precursor, into several groups, including imidazole, indole, isoquinoline, piperidine, pyrrolidine, pyrrolizidine, quinoline, quinolizidines, steroid, tropane, and terpenoid alkaloids [2,3] . Alkaloids have been intensely investigated because of their biological activity and therapeutic potential. They possess, indeed, a broad spectrum of biological activities [4], including antiinflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, anticholinergic, analgesic, antiangiogenic [5], anti-cancer [6,7], and immunomodulatory properties [8] . Some alkaloids, such as Vinca alkaloids, Quinolines (camptothecin and its derivatives), and Taxanes (paclitaxel and docetaxel) have been used to treat cancer since the 1960s [9], beyond their traditional use. Currently, a large number of plant derivatives are under investigation for positioning and“repurposing” in cancer the

FAQs

Why are chronic inflammation and autoimmunity important in thyroid cancer development?

Chronic inflammation and autoimmunity play a pivotal role in carcinogenesis. The review highlights their central contribution to tumor development.

What makes alkaloids a promising option for thyroid cancer and autoimmune thyroid disease?

Alkaloids are secondary plant metabolites with anticancer and immunomodulatory properties. The review proposes them as potential prophylactic and therapeutic agents by targeting relevant pathways.

Is autoimmune thyroid disease considered a risk factor for thyroid cancer?

Some studies suggest AITD may be a risk factor for thyroid cancer, but the issue remains controversial. The relationship is presented as debated in the review.

Sep 22, 2026

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