Novel Inhibitor-Based Therapies for Thyroid Cancer-An Update

Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Oct 31;22(21):11829. doi: 10.3390/ijms222111829.

Abstract

Thyroid cancers (TCs) are the most common tumors of the endocrine system and a constant rise in the number of TC cases has been observed for the past few decades. TCs are one of the most frequent tumors in younger adults, especially in women, therefore early diagnosis and effective therapy are especially important. Ultrasonography examination followed by fine needle biopsy have become the gold standard for diagnosis of TCs, as these strategies allow for early-stage detection and aid accurate qualification for further procedures, including surgical treatment. Despite all the advancements in detection and treatment of TCs, constant mortality levels are still observed. Therefore, a novel generation line of targeted treatment strategies is being developed, including personalized therapies with kinase inhibitors. Recent molecular studies on TCs demonstrate that kinase inhibitor-based therapies might be considered as the most promising. In the past decade, new kinase inhibitors with different mechanisms of action have been reported and approved for clinical trials. This review presents an up-to-date picture of new approaches and challenges of inhibitor-based therapies in treatment of TCs, focusing on the latest findings reported over the past two years.

Keywords: RAI-refractory; kinase inhibitors; targeted therapies; thyroid cancer.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy, Fine-Needle
  • Humans
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Thyroid Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Thyroid Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Thyroid Neoplasms* / enzymology
  • Thyroid Neoplasms* / pathology

Substances

  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors