Long-term sorafenib analysis in advanced DTC

A high percentage of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC)s contain aberrations in the RET/PTC–RAS–RAF–MAPK pathway. In addition, the RET–RAS–RAF pathway leads to VEGF and VEGFR synthesis through the EGFR-activated cascade. Hence, compounds targeting the activated RET–RAS–RAF pathway and beyond, antiangiogenic compounds or a combination of both, may be effective in RAI non-avid DTC. Of the targeted therapies that have shown promising results in advanced DTC, only sorafenib targets both BRAF and RET, as well as VEGFR. Schneider et al. conducted a phase II study to assess the effects of sorafenib in advanced RAI refractory DTC with results on efficacy, safety, and tolerability in 31 DTC patients. Their study shows that sorafenib is generally well tolerated and has demonstrated to be clinically active in the long term in advanced RAI refractory DTC. The authors therefore recommend sorafenib to be considered as the standard option in these patients. Schneider et al. (2012) European Journal of Endocrinology 167 643-650

Read the full article at: DOI:10.1530/EJE-12-0405