Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine cancer, with about 44,000 new cases yearly in the US. Most thyroid cancers are papillary or follicular types, which often respond well to surgery and radioactive iodine. Advanced or resistant cases now have several targeted therapy options approved since 2011.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing RET inhibitors for RET-mutated thyroid cancers, newer kinase inhibitors for radioiodine-resistant disease, and immunotherapy combinations for anaplastic thyroid cancer. Researchers are also studying less-intensive monitoring strategies for small papillary cancers and testing molecular markers to predict which tumors need aggressive treatment versus observation.
RET inhibitors
Selpercatinib and pralsetinib target RET gene fusions and mutations, which drive many medullary and some papillary thyroid cancers. These drugs showed high response rates in trials and are now FDA-approved options.
Active surveillance
Studies are confirming that many small papillary thyroid cancers can be monitored rather than immediately treated. Long-term data from Japan and the US show low progression rates with careful observation.
Anaplastic thyroid cancer
Combination treatments pairing BRAF inhibitors with MEK inhibitors have shown benefit in BRAF-mutated anaplastic thyroid cancer. Immunotherapy is also being tested for this aggressive form.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on thyroid cancer type, presence of specific mutations, whether the cancer responds to radioactive iodine, and extent of disease spread.
What types of trials are currently open
- Targeted therapy trials — Testing kinase inhibitors that block specific mutations driving thyroid cancer growth, often in people whose cancer no longer responds to radioactive iodine.
- Immunotherapy trials — Testing checkpoint inhibitors alone or combined with targeted drugs, primarily for anaplastic or advanced thyroid cancers.
- Active surveillance studies — Following small papillary thyroid cancers with ultrasound rather than immediate surgery to identify which tumors need treatment.
- Combination trials — Testing combinations of targeted drugs or pairing targeted therapy with immunotherapy to improve response in advanced disease.
- Biomarker studies — Analyzing tumor genetics and other markers to predict which thyroid cancers will behave aggressively and which can be managed conservatively.
Recently added Thyroid Cancer trials
68Ga-labeled Cholecystokinin Receptor (CCK2R) Targeted Molecular Probes in Early Tumor Diagnosis
Evaluate the safety of the novel radioactive nuclide-labeled cholecystokinin receptor (CCK2R) targeted molecular probe, 68Ga-YQ-CC05, in clinical application, and verify its effectiveness in tumor diagnosis.
Ultrasound-guided Microwave Ablation of Benign Thyroid Nodules
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if microwave ablation of benign thyroid nodules under local anaesthesia is a safe and effective procedure compared to open thyroidectomy. The main questions it aims to answer are: Dose microwave Ablation effectively cause shrinkage of thyroid nodules? Can ablation of selective area of nodules be safely performed under ultrasound guidance, avoiding critical structures including recurrent laryngeal nerve, major vessels and trachea? Researchers will recruit subjects with symptomatic benign thyroid nodules for Microwave Ablation. Participants will: Undergo ultrasound guided Microwave Ablation of benign thyroid nodules. Visit the clinic at post operation 2-week, 3-month, 6-month, 12-month, 2-year and 3-year for checkups and tests. Fill in questionnaire at each clinic visit for pain, pressure symptoms, cosmetic overall satisfaction in Visual Analog Scale.
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