Sustained Response with Dose-reduced Selpercatinib in a Pediatric Patient with Metastatic NCOA4-RET Fusion Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
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Updated: Jul 19, 2025

Establishment and Characterization of Patient-Derived Xenograft Models of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma and Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: June 2, 2023
Anna C Suydam1, Alicia Bach2, Stephanie Markovina3
1Department of Pediatrics.
Abstract:
Understanding the molecular landscape of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), the most common thyroid cancer in children, creates additional therapeutic approaches. RET gene rearrangements are observed in pediatric PTC, and selective inhibition of RET is now possible with specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors designed to target diverse RET -activating alterations. We present a 13-year-old female with metastatic PTC, clinically resistant to radioactive iodine, and found to harbor a NCOA4-RET fusion. She responded to selpercatinib treatment with the elimination of supplemental oxygen need, marked reduction in pulmonary nodules and mediastinal lymphadenopathy, and biomarker decline. The response was maintained despite 2 dose reductions for possibly related weight gain.
Insights
A 13-year-old girl with metastatic papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) resistant to radioactive iodine showed significant improvement with selpercatinib. This targeted therapy effectively treated her RET fusion-positive cancer, reducing tumor burden and improving respiratory function.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric oncology
- Molecular oncology
- Cancer genetics
Background:
- Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common thyroid cancer in children.
- RET gene rearrangements are key drivers in pediatric PTC.
- Targeted therapies offer new treatment avenues for RET-altered cancers.
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