Interaction of Gut Microbiota with Endocrine Homeostasis and Thyroid Cancer

SIMPLE SUMMARY: As the interaction between gut microbiota and thyroid cancer is gradually being revealed, the thyroid gland, as an important endocrine organ, constitutes the gut-thyroid axis. Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota leads to the accumulation of metabolites that, through specific mechanisms, lead to genetic instability in the thyroid, ultimately leading to tumorigenesis and progression. In addition, these metabolites can lead to autoimmune responses, resulting in imbalance of endocrine homeostasis and the development of autoimmune diseases. In this review, we discuss the interaction of gut microbiota with thyroid disease and thyroid cancer. We hope to provide some potential new strategies for the prevention and treatment of thyroid disease or thyroid cancer. ABSTRACT: The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in healthy individuals as well as in patients with thyroid diseases, including thyroid cancer. Although the prognosis of differentiated thyroid cancer is predictable, that of some poorly differentiated, medullary, and anaplastic thyroid cancers remains unpromising. As the interaction between the gut microbiota and thyroid cancer has been gradually revealed in recent years, the thyroid gland, a crucial endocrine organ, is shown to have a complex connection with the body’s metabolism and is involved in inflammation, autoimmunity, or cancer progression. Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota and its metabolites can influence changes in hormone levels and susceptibility to thyroid cancer through multiple pathways. In this review, we focus on the interactions of the gut microbiota with thyroid function diseases and thyroid cancer. In addition, we also discuss some potential new strategies for the prevention and treatment of thyroid disease and thyroid cancer. Our aim is to provide some possible clinical applications of gut microbiota markers for early diagnosis, treatment, and postoperative management of thyroid cancer. These findings were used to establish a better multi-disciplinary treatment and prevention management strategy and to individualize the treatment of patients in relation to their gut microbiota composition and pathological characteristics.