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
Receive a freezing procedure to treat thyroid tumors
The goal of this clinical study is to learn if cryoablation works to treat thyroid tumors. It will also learn about the safety of cryoablation for thyroid tumors. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does cryoablation shrink thyroid tumors over time? * What side effects or problems do participants have after cryoablation? Participants will receive cryoablation treatment guided by ultrasound. Researchers will track tumor size changes and check for any safety issues during follow-up visits.
Receive targeted radiation therapy for aggressive thyroid cancer
To explore the efficacy and safety of selective coverage radiotherapy in poorly differentiated and anaplastic thyroid cancer
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