Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 18, 2026
Spontaneous Murine Model of Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer
Published on: February 3, 2023
Targeted therapies in thyroid cancer: an extensive review of the literature
Athanasios Bikas1, Shivangi Vachhani1, Kirk Jensen2
1a Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine , MedStar Washington Hospital Center , Washington , DC , USA.
Introduction:
Patients with progressive, metastatic, RAI-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), as well as patients with advanced medullary (MTC) and anaplastic thyroid cancer represent a cohort for which therapeutic options are limited. The recent discoveries in the molecular mechanisms implicated in TC have provided insight of the pathogenesis and progression of disease. In that respect, targeted therapies have emerged as a promising alternative for the treatment of those patients. Areas covered: Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs) have been studied extensively in TC: sorafenib and lenvatinib have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of metastatic, RAI-refractory DTC, while vandetanib and cabozantinib are FDA approved for use in advanced MTC. Moreover, several additional TKIs, multi-targeted or specific, are currently under investigation in TC. The current manuscript provides an extensive review of the literature regarding targeted therapies in TC including the rationale behind their use, the clinical trials and an expert opinion on their use. Literature in English appearing at PubMed was thoroughly reviewed, especially manuscripts of the last 5 years. Expert commentary: Patients with advanced, progressive, metastatic TC should be evaluated for enrollment in a clinical trial or should be placed on treatment with one of the FDA- and EMA- approved agents.
Insights
Targeted therapies, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), offer new hope for advanced thyroid cancer (TC). Approved TKIs provide options for refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) and advanced medullary thyroid cancer (MTC).
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Limited therapeutic options exist for progressive, metastatic, RAI-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), advanced medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), and anaplastic thyroid cancer.
- Molecular discoveries have illuminated thyroid cancer (TC) pathogenesis and progression, paving the way for targeted therapies.
- Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs) represent a promising therapeutic avenue for advanced TC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an extensive review of targeted therapies in thyroid cancer.
- To discuss the rationale, clinical trials, and expert opinions on the use of TKIs in TC.
- To highlight FDA-approved TKIs for specific types of advanced thyroid cancer.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of English-language publications in PubMed.
- Focus on manuscripts published within the last five years.
- Inclusion of clinical trial data and expert commentary on targeted therapies for TC.
Main Results:
- Sorafenib and lenvatinib are FDA-approved for metastatic, RAI-refractory DTC.
- Vandetanib and cabozantinib are FDA-approved for advanced MTC.
- Several other TKIs are under investigation for various types of TC.
Conclusions:
- Targeted therapies, particularly TKIs, have emerged as crucial treatment options for advanced thyroid cancer.
- Patients with advanced, progressive, metastatic TC should be considered for clinical trials or FDA/EMA-approved agents.
- Ongoing research into novel TKIs holds promise for improving outcomes in TC.
Related Concept Videos
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
02:50Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
01:27Tumor Immunotherapy
02:49Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
02:49Cancer Therapies