Targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway in iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC): from bench to bedside

Abstract

Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy, representing 1% of all human malignancies; its incidence has been escalating worldwide during the last decades. In recent years important molecular pathways contributing to tumor progression and worse survival rates have been identified in iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) with the consequent development of molecular therapeutics to target these specific oncogenic pathways. For example, a positive correlation has been found between expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and a more aggressive phenotype of DTC. This has led to the widespread adoption of VEGF-targeted therapeutics in the preclinical and clinical settings. In this review we will provide an overview of the different aspects of the use of VEGF-pathway-oriented treatments in iodine-refractory DTC with particular focus on future prospects.

Keywords: Iodine-refractory; Sorafenib; Sunitinib; Systemic therapy; Thyroid carcinoma; VEGF.