Most thyroid cancers are highly curable with surgery and radioactive iodine when needed. Papillary and follicular types represent about 95% of cases and typically have excellent outcomes. For advanced or aggressive forms that don't respond to standard treatment, targeted drugs that block specific cancer-driving mutations are now available.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing RET inhibitors like selpercatinib and pralsetinib for RET-mutated cancers, NTRK inhibitors for NTRK fusion-positive tumors, and combinations that may work for anaplastic thyroid cancer. Research also focuses on whether certain low-risk cancers can be monitored without immediate surgery, and on improving treatments for medullary thyroid cancer.
RET inhibitor approvals
Selpercatinib and pralsetinib received FDA approval for advanced thyroid cancers with RET mutations. These drugs often shrink tumors that have stopped responding to other treatments.
Active surveillance
Studies are showing that small, low-risk papillary thyroid cancers can be watched safely without surgery in selected patients. This approach may spare people unnecessary treatment.
Anaplastic combinations
Researchers are testing combinations of targeted drugs and immunotherapy for anaplastic thyroid cancer, the most aggressive form. Some combinations have shown rapid tumor shrinkage in early studies.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on thyroid cancer type, disease stage, whether cancer has spread, specific mutations present, and response to prior treatments including surgery and radioactive iodine.
What types of trials are currently open
- Targeted therapy trials — Testing drugs that block specific mutations found in thyroid cancer, such as RET, BRAF, or NTRK alterations. These are mostly for advanced cancers.
- Active surveillance studies — Monitoring small, low-risk papillary cancers with ultrasound instead of operating immediately, to see if surgery can be safely delayed or avoided.
- Combination trials — Testing combinations of targeted drugs, immunotherapy, or both for aggressive forms like anaplastic or advanced medullary thyroid cancer.
- Radioactive iodine studies — Testing ways to make thyroid cancers respond better to radioactive iodine, or to predict which cancers won't respond so people can skip ineffective treatment.
- Biomarker studies — Following people after treatment to learn which tumor features predict recurrence and which patients need closer monitoring.
Recently added Thyroid Cancer trials
Try guided neck exercises using a messaging app after thyroid surgery
This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and implementation outcomes of a WeChat mini program-supported tele-neck rehabilitation exercises for improving early postoperative neck recovery after thyroidectomy.
Take a targeted cancer therapy while researchers monitor drug interactions
An open-label drug-drug interaction study to evaluate the effects of pralsetinib (Gavreto) on the pharmacokinetics of a CYP450 probe substrate cocktail and, in female participants, a hormonal probe substrate, in participants with rearranged during transfection (RET) fusion- or mutation-positive solid tumors
Find Thyroid Cancer trials matched specifically to you
Answer 3 quick questions and we'll show you trials that fit your situation.