Maria E. Cabanillas, MD

Maria E. Cabanillas, MD, an oncologic endocrinologist, professor, and faculty director in the Department of Endocrine Neoplasia at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the treatment landscape for patients with thyroid cancers harboring a 

 fusions occur specifically in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) and anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC), as well as poorly DTC which is classified as another type of thyroid cancer, Cabanillas says. TRK fusions have not been observed in medullary thyroid cancer, however, limiting use of larotrectinib (Vitrakvi), a TRK inhibitor, to patients with DTC and ATC who harbor the 

For the treatment of patients with DTC, particularly those with advanced progressive disease, the options include 2 VGEF receptor inhibitors, sorafenib (Nexavar) and lenvatinib (Lenvima), Cabanillas says. The only effective therapy in ATC, however, is for patients harboring a 

 mutation, which is the FDA-approved combination of dabrafenib (Tafinlar) and trametinib (Mekinist). For patients with ATC who are not 

-mutated, there are no good therapies available at this time, according to Cabanillas.

It is important to recognize that although 

 fusions are rare in DTC and ATC, physicians should be checking for these rare fusions considering there are now selective therapies available for the population.

Videos

Maria E. Cabanillas, MD, discusses the treatment landscape for patients with thyroid cancers harboring a TRK fusion.

TRK Fusions Help to Fulfill Unmet Need in Thyroid Cancer Treatment Landscape

Maria E. Cabanillas, MD, oncologic endocrinologist, associate professor, MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the need for expediency of getting patients with anaplastic thyroid cancer treatment. Cabanillas says her and a team of medical professionals at MD Anderson Cancer Center set a goal of reducing the time between when they are contacted about a patient with anaplastic thyroid cancer, and when the patient is given an appointment time, to fewer than 5 business days.

Cabanillas says her and her team set a goal of reducing the time between when they are contacted about a patient with anaplastic thyroid cancer, and when the patient is given an appointment time, to fewer than 5 business days.

Author | Maria E. Cabanillas, MD

Articles

TRK Fusions Help to Fulfill Unmet Need in Thyroid Cancer Treatment Landscape

Dr. Maria E. Cabanillas on Reducing Time to Treatment for Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer