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Updated: May 29, 2026
05:39
Spontaneous Murine Model of Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer
Published on: February 3, 2023
Emerging therapeutics for advanced thyroid malignancies: rationale and targeted approaches
Pamela Jo Harris1, Keith C Bible
1National Cancer Institute, Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, Bethesda, MD 20892-7426, USA. harrispj@mail.nih.gov
Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs
|September 14, 2011
Summary
Thyroid cancer incidence is rising, with new kinase inhibitors showing promise for advanced differentiated and medullary thyroid cancers. Further research is crucial for treating aggressive thyroid cancer types.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Therapeutics
Background:
- Thyroid cancer incidence has doubled in the USA over the past decade.
- While most patients are cured by conventional therapies, a minority develop aggressive, treatment-resistant tumors.
- There is a critical need for novel treatment options for advanced thyroid cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the biology and molecular characteristics of common thyroid cancer types.
- To discuss recent developments and emerging therapeutics for advanced thyroid cancers.
- To provide context for understanding new treatment strategies.
Main Methods:
- Review of the biology and molecular characteristics of common thyroid cancer histological types.
- Analysis of recent developments in emerging therapeutics for advanced thyroid cancers.
- Evaluation of current treatment approaches and their limitations.
Main Results:
- Kinase inhibitors targeting VEGFR and/or RET show promise in differentiated and medullary thyroid cancers.
- Cytotoxic chemotherapy combined with intensity-modulated radiation therapy offers survival benefits for locoregionally confined anaplastic thyroid cancer.
- These combined therapies provide only modest benefit in metastatic anaplastic thyroid cancer.
Conclusions:
- Targeted therapies like kinase inhibitors are advancing treatment for differentiated and medullary thyroid cancers.
- Combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy show potential for specific subtypes of anaplastic thyroid cancer.
- Continued discovery and development of novel agents and combinations are essential for improving outcomes across all advanced thyroid cancer histotypes.
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