Anti-cancer drugs for thyroid cancer

Abstract

For patients with differentiated thyroid cancer that is refractory to radioiodine therapy, a long-term response with conventional cytostatic drugs is uncommon, and treatment options have historically been limited. Outcomes for these patients have accordingly been limited. Development of molecular-targeted drugs for thyroid cancer has recently progressed, and several drugs have demonstrated significantly improved progression-free survival over placebo in randomized phase III trials. Nothing will bring us greater pleasure than meeting this hitherto unmet need for thyroid cancer. However, the majority of recurrent thyroid cancer patients have slow growing and asymptomatic disease, and these molecular-targeted drugs are not definitely indicated for all cases. Furthermore, toxicity is considerable and the expected treatment duration is more than one year. Without appropriate management of toxicity and patient education, these drugs will worsen quality of life.