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Computer-Aided Three-Dimensional Visualization in the Treatment of Locally Advanced Thyroid Cancer
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Novel treatment of medullary thyroid cancer

Masahiro Sugawara1, David L Geffner, Dorothy Martinez

  • 1Endocrinology and Diabetes Division, Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Medical Center, Department of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA. msugawar@ucla.edu

Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Obesity
|July 28, 2009
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Metastatic medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) treatments, including kinase inhibitors, show some efficacy but do not improve survival. Unconventional therapies are needed to enhance outcomes for this incurable disease.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Endocrinology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Metastatic medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is an incurable malignancy once unresectable.
  • Current therapeutic strategies for metastatic MTC have limited success in improving survival rates.
  • There is a critical need for novel and effective treatment modalities for advanced MTC.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review currently published treatment options for metastatic medullary thyroid cancer.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of existing and emerging therapies in managing metastatic MTC.
  • To explore future directions and potential developments in MTC treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature review of published studies on metastatic MTC treatments.
  • Analysis of clinical trial data and reported outcomes for various therapeutic agents.
  • Identification of drugs demonstrating partial response or stable disease in MTC patients.

Main Results:

  • Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (motesanib, vandetanib, axitinib) and multikinase inhibitors (XL184) show partial response or stable disease.
  • Other tyrosine kinase inhibitors (sunitinib, sorafenib) can be considered but do not improve survival.
  • Carcinoembryonic antigen-I-iodine-based radioimmunotherapy improved survival in a subset of aggressive MTC.
  • Investigational drugs include bortezomib, valproic acid, capecitabine, indomethacin, cardiac natriuretic hormones, and Cautleya gracilis extract.

Conclusions:

  • Kinase inhibitors represent a significant advancement, demonstrating initial efficacy in MTC.
  • Current treatments, including kinase inhibitors, are not curative and do not consistently improve survival.
  • Consideration of unconventional drugs or combination therapies alongside kinase inhibitors is crucial for improving MTC patient survival.

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