Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 21, 2026

Spontaneous Murine Model of Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer
Published on: February 3, 2023
Vandetanib for the treatment of metastatic medullary thyroid cancer
Nils Degrauwe1, Julie Ann Sosa, Sanziana Roman
1University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Abstract:
Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) represents an aggressive form of thyroid malignancy. Some may occur spontaneously or can be associated with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndromes, or Familial Medullary Thyroid Cancer syndrome. In these patients, the protooncogene RET (rearranged during transfection) is mutated. In patients who have unresectable or metastatic disease, the long term prognosis is poor. New treatments for this disease have focused on the use of targeted agents that inhibit the receptor tyrosine kinase of RET. One of these treatments, Vandetanib (Caprelsa, Astra Zeneca), recently has received approval from the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of patients with progressive locally advanced and/or metastatic disease. This review highlights the studies that led to the drug's approval, and discusses on the potential financial costs of treatment and side effects of this therapy. The main clinical studies evaluating Vandetanib for the treatment of other solid tumors will also be reviewed.
Insights
Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is aggressive. Vandetanib is a new targeted therapy approved for advanced MTC, offering hope for patients with poor prognoses.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is an aggressive malignancy.
- MTC can be sporadic or linked to genetic syndromes involving RET protooncogene mutations.
- Unresectable or metastatic MTC has a poor long-term prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the clinical studies supporting Vandetanib's approval for MTC.
- To discuss the financial costs and side effects associated with Vandetanib therapy.
- To examine Vandetanib's efficacy in other solid tumors.
Main Methods:
- Review of pivotal clinical trials for Vandetanib in MTC.
- Analysis of safety and efficacy data from these trials.
- Exploration of Vandetanib's mechanism of action as a RET tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
Main Results:
- Vandetanib demonstrated efficacy in patients with progressive, locally advanced, or metastatic MTC.
- The drug's approval was based on studies showing significant clinical benefit.
- Potential side effects and financial considerations were highlighted.
Conclusions:
- Vandetanib represents a significant advancement in MTC treatment.
- Targeted therapy inhibiting RET offers a new therapeutic option for advanced MTC.
- Further research may explore Vandetanib's role in other cancers.
Related Concept Videos
Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors and Calcium Channel Blockers
TKIs, such as imatinib (Gleevec), are particularly effective in tackling the growth and mitogenic factors that become upregulated in PAH patients. These factors contribute to the...
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Endothelin Receptor Antagonists
ETs are synthesized through a complex sequence of enzymatic steps, primarily involving an enzyme referred to as endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE). Of...
Treatment Resistant Cancers
Tumor Immunotherapy

