Treatments Improve PFS in Thyroid Cancer

Winston Tan, MD, consultant, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, and associate professor of medicine, Mayo Clinic, discusses 2 agents that have advanced the treatment landscape for patients with thyroid cancer, including the multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) lenvatinib (Lenvima) and another TKI, sorafenib (Nexavar).

In the past, patients with thyroid cancer were primarily treated with chemotherapy, according to Tan. However, the progression-free survival (PFS) with chemotherapy was very short. Lenvatinib and sorafenib both have proven to prolong PFS. Lenvatinib could extend PFS by at least 1 year or longer, and sorafenib prolongs PFS by at least 6 months.