ELK1 and thyroiditis: Since ETS factors are already strongly implicated in thyroid carcinogenesis as the principal end-effectors of the BRAF (v-Raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B)-ERK (Extracellular Signal Regulated Kinase) signalling cascade [31, 32], we proceeded to validate FOXE1-ELK1 physical and functional association by several experimental approaches.