Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is an uncommon type of thyroid cancer, representing around 4 % of the all thyroid cancers, and is a challenging malignancy. So far, surgery has been the only curative treatment and until recently there have been no effective medications. Within the past 5 years, multi-targeted kinase inhibitors have emerged that have shown convincing efficacy against such tumours. These drugs have changed the landscape in MTC treatment by providing effective medication for the first time. The modes of action of these drugs differ, but most target RET, a tyrosine kinase shown to play an important role in the pathobiology of MTC, as well as other receptors including vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFRs), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the hepatocyte growth factor receptor MET. Two agents in this class, vandetanib and cabozantinib, have demonstrated efficacy and safety in phase III trials and have consequently received regulatory approval. Other therapies for MTC treatment, including some with similar modes of action, are also in early development.
Keywords: Cabozantinib; medullary thyroid cancer; tyrosine kinase inhibitors; vandetanib.