[Current progress and management in molecular targeted therapy for advanced thyroid cancer]
Ritsuko Okamura1, Iwao Sugitani
1Division of surgery, Dept. of Endocrine surgery, Nippon Medical School.
Gan to Kagaku Ryoho. Cancer & Chemotherapy
|April 19, 2014
Summary
Molecular targeted agents offer new hope for advanced thyroid cancers, including medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) and differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) refractory to radioiodine therapy. Further research is ongoing to optimize their use and manage side effects.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Context:
- Surgery is standard for thyroid cancer, but advanced/metastatic cases (MTC, radioiodine-refractory DTC, ATC) lack effective treatments.
- Thyroid cancer progression involves aberrant signaling pathways, molecular aberrations, and angiogenesis via VEGFR and EGFR.
- Molecular targeted agents are being investigated for their efficacy in treating advanced thyroid cancers.
Purpose:
- To review the current status and future prospects of molecular targeted agents in advanced thyroid cancer treatment.
- To highlight recent FDA approvals and ongoing clinical trials for targeted therapies.
- To emphasize the need for further research into treatment response mechanisms, adverse effect management, and predictive biomarkers.
Summary:
- Vandetanib was FDA-approved in 2011 for advanced MTC, and sorafenib in 2013 for advanced DTC, based on phase III trials.
- Ongoing trials are evaluating targeted agents for anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC).
- Novel molecular agents are under investigation in Japan, potentially becoming standard care for advanced thyroid cancer.
Impact:
- Targeted therapies represent a promising new treatment strategy for patients with advanced thyroid cancer.
- Understanding treatment mechanisms and identifying biomarkers will optimize the use of these novel agents.
- Future research aims to establish optimal management protocols and predictive markers for targeted thyroid cancer therapy.
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