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An update on clinical trials of targeted therapies in thyroid cancer

Sigurdis Haraldsdottir1, Manisha H Shah

  • 1The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.

Current Opinion in Oncology
|November 19, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

New targeted therapies show promise for advanced differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) and medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), improving progression-free survival. While effective, overall survival benefits are still under investigation, and potential risks require careful management.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) and medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) represent challenging clinical scenarios.
  • Targeted therapies offer new treatment avenues by inhibiting key signaling pathways like vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and rearranged during transfection (RET).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in targeted therapies for advanced DTC and MTC.
  • To evaluate the efficacy and safety of multikinase inhibitors in clinical trials.

Main Methods:

  • Review of clinical trial data, including phase III studies of VEGF- and RET-targeted therapies.
  • Analysis of progression-free survival and overall survival data.
  • Assessment of adverse event profiles associated with targeted therapies.

Main Results:

  • Sorafenib (VEGF-targeted) showed efficacy in DTC.
  • Vandetanib and cabozantinib (VEGF and RET-targeted) have been approved for MTC, improving progression-free survival compared to placebo.
  • No targeted therapy has yet demonstrated an improvement in overall survival for these thyroid cancer types.
  • Significant adverse events associated with these therapies necessitate careful monitoring.

Conclusions:

  • The development of targeted systemic therapies marks a significant advancement for patients with advanced DTC and MTC.
  • These new therapies provide novel standard-of-care options, although further research is needed to optimize their use and confirm overall survival benefits.

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