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Updated: Apr 19, 2026

Establishment and Characterization of Patient-Derived Xenograft Models of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma and Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: June 2, 2023
[Targeted therapy in thyroid cancer: Towards a treatment card]
S Lkhoyaali1, S Benhmida1, M Ait Elhaj1
1Service d'oncologie médicale, institut national d'oncologie Moulay-Abdellah, rue Lamfadel-Cherkaoui Rabat Institut, BP 6527, 10000 Rabat, Maroc.
Abstract:
Thyroid cancer is an uncommon cancer. Molecular biology plays a vital role in its development. Chemotherapy showed unsatisfactory results in advanced stages where surgery and iodine therapy are not appropriate. These last ten years have been marked by a major advance in understanding the molecular features of this cancer and therapeutic correlations, moreover, clinical trials have focused on the treatment of this disease on metastatic stages and led to a significant therapeutic panel targeting angiogenesis, mutations frequently found in cervical cancer: RET, BRAF, RAS... these are the motesanib, axitinib, sunitinib, pazopanib, vandetanib, cabozotinib and sorafenib. The last three molecules have already the autorisation of FDA and EMA. In this review, we will put the item on oncogenetic characteristics of thyroid carcinoma as well as new targeted therapies in patients refractory to conventional treatment.
Insights
Thyroid cancer treatment is evolving. New targeted therapies show promise for advanced, refractory cases by targeting specific molecular mutations.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Context:
- Thyroid cancer, though uncommon, presents challenges in advanced stages where conventional treatments like chemotherapy, surgery, and iodine therapy are ineffective.
- Recent advancements have deepened the understanding of thyroid cancer's molecular underpinnings and therapeutic targets.
Purpose:
- To review the oncogenetic characteristics of thyroid carcinoma.
- To explore novel targeted therapies for patients with thyroid cancer refractory to standard treatments.
Summary:
- Chemotherapy offers limited efficacy in advanced thyroid cancer.
- Targeted therapies, including motesanib, axitinib, sunitinib, pazopanib, vandetanib, cabozotinib, and sorafenib, are emerging for metastatic disease.
- These therapies target key molecular alterations such as RET, BRAF, and RAS mutations.
Impact:
- Provides an overview of current targeted treatment options for refractory thyroid cancer.
- Highlights the importance of molecular profiling in guiding therapeutic decisions.
- Informs clinicians and researchers about the latest advancements in thyroid cancer therapy.
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