Personalized treatment options for thyroid cancer: current perspectives.

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Oncology
• Genetics

Background:

• Thyroid cancer incidence is rising globally, posing a significant challenge.
• While differentiated thyroid carcinoma generally has a good prognosis, 5-10% of patients develop aggressive, metastatic, or refractory disease.
• Individual genetic profiles significantly influence thyroid cancer behavior and treatment response.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the shift towards personalized treatment strategies in thyroid cancer.
• To underscore the importance of genetic information in guiding targeted therapy selection.
• To review key molecular targets and associated therapies for thyroid cancer.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on thyroid cancer genetics and targeted therapies.
• Identification of prevalent mutations and rearrangements (e.g., BRAF, VEGF, RET).
• Association of specific genetic alterations with targeted therapeutic agents (e.g., larotrectinib, vemurafenib).

Main Results:

• Targeted therapies offer a personalized approach by focusing on specific molecular pathways.
• Several key genetic alterations (BRAF, VEGF, RET, etc.) are crucial for selecting appropriate treatments.
• Drugs like larotrectinib, vemurafenib, sunitinib, and sorafenib are utilized based on genetic profiling.

Conclusions:

• Personalized treatment based on genetic information has revolutionized thyroid cancer management.
• This approach enhances treatment planning, efficacy prediction, and overall prognosis.
• Understanding individual genetic makeup is key to overcoming treatment resistance in thyroid cancer.