Multikinase inhibitors in thyroid cancer

Biological agents are rapidly developing for the treatment of metastatic RAI resistant thyroid cancer. The most promising results were shown by agents that target BRAF and VEGFR rather than RET. BRAF V600E mutation seems to be positively associated with tumour response by using BRAF targeting agents. With these agents impressive clinical responses and prolonged disease stabilisation were observed. This activity compares favourably with that of chemotherapy with less prominent toxicity, although typically associated drug side-effects should be promptly recognised and managed. To date no drug has proved to prolong survival, as such none of these agents has been approved. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.