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Spontaneous Murine Model of Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer
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BRAF Inhibition in BRAFV600E-Positive Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma
Annette M Lim1, Graham R Taylor2, Andrew Fellowes3
1Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia
Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network : JNCCN
|March 10, 2016
Summary
Targeted BRAF inhibitor monotherapy for BRAF(V600E)-positive anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) showed short-term clinical benefits in two cases. Further research into upfront combination therapy is recommended for this patient subgroup.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is an aggressive thyroid cancer.
- The efficacy of targeted monotherapy for BRAF(V600E)-positive ATC remains unclear.
- BRAF mutations are present in a subset of ATC patients.
Observation:
- Two patients with BRAF(V600E)-positive ATC were treated with BRAF inhibitor monotherapy.
- One patient experienced a complete symptomatic and radiologic response within one month.
- The second patient showed tumor size reduction and pain stabilization within ten days.
Findings:
- BRAF inhibitor monotherapy provided temporary clinical benefit in both ATC cases.
- Disease progression occurred after 3 months in the first patient and stable disease lasted 11 weeks in the second.
- Both patients ultimately succumbed to the disease within 11 months of diagnosis.
Implications:
- BRAF inhibitor monotherapy may offer transient benefits for BRAF(V600E)-positive ATC.
- Upfront combination therapy strategies should be explored for this patient population.
- This highlights the need for novel therapeutic approaches in advanced ATC.
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