Genomic Considerations in the Treatment of Thyroid Carcinoma

Crystal J Hattum1, Rachel J Elsey1, Tobias Meissner1

  • 1Avera Center for Precision Oncology, Avera Cancer Institute, Sioux Falls, SD.

JCO Oncology Practice
|April 15, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Genomic targeted therapies offer new hope for advanced thyroid carcinoma. These precision treatments aim to improve patient outcomes by targeting specific genetic mutations.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Advanced thyroid carcinoma presents significant treatment challenges.
  • Current therapeutic strategies often yield limited efficacy in advanced stages.

Discussion:

  • Genomic profiling identifies actionable mutations in advanced thyroid carcinoma.
  • Targeted therapies offer a personalized approach based on tumor genetics.

Key Insights:

  • Genomically driven targeted therapies demonstrate potential to improve progression-free survival.
  • Identifying specific molecular alterations is crucial for treatment selection.

Outlook:

  • Further research into novel targeted agents and combination therapies is warranted.
  • Integration of genomic data into clinical practice will refine treatment paradigms for thyroid cancer.

Related Concept Videos

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
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...
4.9K
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
7.6K
Functions of Thyroid Hormones01:18

Functions of Thyroid Hormones

The thyroid hormone (TH) plays a pivotal role in the intricate orchestration of physiological processes, exerting profound effects on development, metabolism, and homeostasis throughout different life stages.
TH is indispensable for the normal development and maturation of the skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems during fetal and childhood growth. It facilitates bone mineral turnover and regulates protein synthesis in developing tissues, contributing significantly to overall growth and...
2.7K
Synthesis and Regulation of Thyroid Hormones01:20

Synthesis and Regulation of Thyroid Hormones

Low blood levels of the thyroid hormones — triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) — signal the hypothalamus to release the thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). TRH then reaches the pituitary gland and stimulates the release of thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH) into the bloodstream.
Upon reaching the thyroid gland, TSH stimulates the follicular cells' active uptake of iodide ions from the blood. The ions diffuse to the apical surface of the cells and are oxidized to iodine. The...
4.6K
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
7.4K