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Computer-Aided Three-Dimensional Visualization in the Treatment of Locally Advanced Thyroid Cancer
Published on: June 9, 2023
Treatment and surveillance of advanced, metastatic iodine-resistant differentiated thyroid cancer
Eiman Y Ibrahim1, Naifa L Busaidy
1Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, University of Texas - M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
Purpose Of Review:
This review will focus on the management and treatment of metastatic thyroid cancer that is radioactive iodine refractory and review the new drugs and their mechanism of actions as well as their adverse events.
Recent Findings:
Until recently, there were no efficacious therapeutic modalities for these patients. With advancement in knowledge and research of the molecular aberrations and oncogenic mutations in thyroid cancer as well as further understanding the role of angiogenesis in tumor growth molecular pathogenesis, novel targeted therapies are available for these patients. Some of these drugs have successfully prolonged progression free survival and are now Food and Drug Administration approved. Additional agents are approved for the treatment of other types of cancers and are currently under investigation for differentiated thyroid cancer treatment.
Summary:
Differentiated thyroid cancer (papillary and follicular) is the most common endocrine malignancy. It is generally known to have an excellent prognosis and patients are usually cured with the conventional primary treatments including surgery, radioactive iodine, and thyroid stimulating hormone suppression. A minor proportion of patients do not fully recover mainly because they develop radioactive iodine-resistant disease. These patients have few treatment options, which we aimed to describe here.
Insights
New targeted therapies offer hope for radioactive iodine-refractory metastatic thyroid cancer. These novel drugs, targeting molecular aberrations, improve progression-free survival for patients with limited options.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Differentiated thyroid cancer (papillary and follicular) is a common endocrine malignancy with generally excellent prognosis.
- A small subset of patients develop radioactive iodine-refractory disease, facing limited treatment alternatives.
- Historically, few effective therapies existed for this refractory group.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the management and treatment of metastatic thyroid cancer that is radioactive iodine refractory.
- To discuss novel targeted therapies, their mechanisms of action, and adverse events.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on molecular aberrations and angiogenesis in thyroid cancer.
- Analysis of newly approved and investigational targeted therapies.
- Examination of clinical trial data regarding progression-free survival and safety profiles.
Main Results:
- Advancements in understanding molecular pathogenesis have led to novel targeted therapies.
- Several new drugs have demonstrated efficacy, prolonging progression-free survival.
- Some agents are Food and Drug Administration approved, with others under investigation.
Conclusions:
- Novel targeted therapies represent a significant advancement for patients with radioactive iodine-refractory metastatic thyroid cancer.
- Understanding molecular drivers has enabled the development of effective treatment strategies.
- Continued research and investigation of additional agents are crucial for this patient population.
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