Disclosed herein are novel approaches to
thyroid cancer therapy. These approaches include methods to enhance
thyroid specific
gene expression, for example methods to enhance expression of
thyroglobulin and / or the Na<+> / I<-> symporter in
thyroid cancer cells. Enhanced expression of thyroid-specific genes promotes
cellular differentiation and reduces biologically aggressive behavior such as invasion and
metastasis. In addition, enhanced expression of
thyroglobulin and / or the Na<+> / I<31 > symporter increases the ability of
thyroid cancer cells to concentrate
iodine or
iodide, thereby making the cells more susceptible to
radioactive iodine therapy. Also disclosed herein are methods for detecting thyroid neoplasms in a subject, by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a
histone deacetylase inhibitor, administering a detectable agent whose uptake or concentration in thyroid cells is increased by administration of the
histone deacetylase inhibitor, and detecting the detectable agent.