scholarly journals New drugs for medullary thyroid cancer: new promises?

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. R287-R297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Spitzweg ◽  
John C Morris ◽  
Keith C Bible

Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a rare tumor arising from the calcitonin-producing parafollicular C cells of the thyroid gland, occurring either sporadically or alternatively in a hereditary form based on germline RET mutations in approximately one-third of cases. Historically, patients with advanced, metastasized MTC have had a poor prognosis, partly due to limited response to conventional chemotherapy and radiation therapy. In the past decade, however, considerable progress has been made in identifying key genetic alterations and dysregulated signaling pathways paving the way for the evaluation of a series of multitargeted kinase inhibitors that have started to meaningfully impact clinical practice. Two drugs, vandetanib and cabozantinib, are now approved in the US and EU for use in advanced, progressive MTC, with additional targeted agents also showing promise or awaiting results from clinical trials. However, the potential for toxicities with significant reduction in quality of life and lack of curative outcomes has to be carefully weighed against potential for benefit. Despite significant PFS prolongation observed in randomized clinical trials, most patients even with metastatic disease enjoy indolent courses with slow progression observed over years, wherein watchful waiting is still the preferred strategy. As advanced, progressive MTC is a rare and complex disease, a multidisciplinary approach centered in specialized centers providing interdisciplinary expertise in the individualization of available therapeutic options is preferred. In this review, we summarize current concepts of the molecular pathogenesis of advanced MTC and discuss results from clinical trials of targeted agents and also cytotoxic chemotherapy in the context of clinical implications and future perspectives.

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. e0233720
Author(s):  
Viktor Sandblom ◽  
Johan Spetz ◽  
Emman Shubbar ◽  
Mikael Montelius ◽  
Ingun Ståhl ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 127 (04) ◽  
pp. 240-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judit Kocsis ◽  
Éva Szekanecz ◽  
Ali Bassam ◽  
Andrea Uhlyarik ◽  
Zsuzsanna Pápai ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a rare disease, the prognosis of advanced and metastatic disease is poor and few therapeutic options are available in this setting. Based on the results of phase II and III studies with sorafenib in differentiated thyroid cancer and the lack of availability of registered tyrosine kinase inhibitors, vandetabin and cabozantinib in Hungary, we designed a uncontrolled, prospective efficacy and safety study of patients with metastatic MTC treated with first-line sorafenib in five Hungarian oncology centers. Methods Ten consecutive patients with progressive or symptomatic metastatic MTC were included and started sorafenib 400  mg twice a day between June 2012 and March 2016. The primary end point was median progression-free survival (mPFS). Secondary endpoints included disease control rate, biochemical response, symptomatic response and toxicity. Results Four patients achieved partial remission (40%) according to RECIST 1.1 evaluation. Five patients had stable disease beyond 12 months (50%) and one patient had progressive disease (10%). Median PFS was 19.1 months. The disease control rate was 90%. Association between radiologic response and biochemical or symptomatic response was inconsistent. Most common side effects were Grade 1-2 fatigue (60%), palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, rash/dermatitis 50-50%, alopecia 40%. Conclusions In our prospective case series in patients with MTC first-line sorafenib showed at least similar efficacy as in other small phase II trials and case reports. Based on comparable efficacy with registered tyrosine kinase inhibitors and it’s manageable toxicity profile, we believe that sorafenib has role in the sequential treatment of MTC.


2011 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 618-625 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Taccaliti ◽  
F. Silvetti ◽  
G. Palmonella ◽  
M. Boscaro

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Rosa M. García-Moreno ◽  
Óscar Moreno-Domínguez ◽  
Beatriz Castelo-Fernández ◽  
Laura Yébenes-Gregorio ◽  
Isabel Torres-Sánchez ◽  
...  

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been a breakthrough in the treatment of advanced medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), and they can prolong progression-free survival (PFS). <b><i>Case Presentation:</i></b> A patient with MTC and metastatic spread to the lymph nodes, lungs, bones, breast, and cerebellum started treatment with vandetanib. During treatment, she developed secondary adrenal insufficiency and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. After 9 years of vandetanib therapy, the disease has not progressed and the patient maintains a complete response of the breast metastases and a partial response of the other metastatic lesions. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of secondary adrenal insufficiency and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism related to therapy with vandetanib. Moreover, the prolonged PFS and the complete disappearance of some of the metastatic lesions in this patient are truly unusual.


2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 145
Author(s):  
Barbara Jarzab ◽  
Jolanta Krajewska ◽  
◽  

Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is an uncommon type of thyroid cancer, representing around 4 % of the all thyroid cancers, and is a challenging malignancy. So far, surgery has been the only curative treatment and until recently there have been no effective medications. Within the past 5 years, multi-targeted kinase inhibitors have emerged that have shown convincing efficacy against such tumours. These drugs have changed the landscape in MTC treatment by providing effective medication for the first time. The modes of action of these drugs differ, but most target RET, a tyrosine kinase shown to play an important role in the pathobiology of MTC, as well as other receptors including vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFRs), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the hepatocyte growth factor receptor MET. Two agents in this class, vandetanib and cabozantinib, have demonstrated efficacy and safety in phase III trials and have consequently received regulatory approval. Other therapies for MTC treatment, including some with similar modes of action, are also in early development.


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