Erianin induces apoptosis of thyroid cancer cells via TNF signaling pathway

Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy, with a rising incidence rate over the past three decades. Although most thyroid cancers are indolent, clinical management of advanced thyroid cancer is still a challenge. Recent studies identified erianin as a potential anti-tumor drug in several cancer types; however, whether and how erianin against thyroid cancer remains elusive. In this study we showed that erianin significantly inhibited cell viability and colony formation of thyroid cancer cells in a genetic mutation -independent manner, and treatment thyroid cancer cells with erianin induced remarkable G2/M phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. By performing RNA-sequencing, we identified that TNF signaling pathway was activated by erianin in thyroid cancer cells. Moreover, the cell growth inhibitory effect of erianin was confirmed in a thyroid cancer xenograft mice model. These data suggest that erianin induces apoptosis of thyroid cancer cells by activating the TNF pathway, and the finding of the anti-tumor effect of erianin indicated a new potential therapeutic strategy for advanced thyroid cancer.