Combination therapy of TKIs and ICIs for the treatment of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma

Abstract

Objective: To explore the efficacy of combination therapy of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKIs) and immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICIs) in patients with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC).

Method: This study enrolled 7 patients with ATC between June 2020 and June 2024, and conducted follow-up for a minimum of 6 months post-treatment, with the longest follow-up duration reaching 4 years. Patients received treatment with the TKI-Anlotinib and the ICI-Sintilimab, administered every 3 weeks in a treatment cycle.

Result: Following treatment, among the 7 patients, the primary lesion in 3 patients who had not undergone thyroidectomy exhibited significant shrinkage, the lung metastases in 5 patients with pulmonary involvement significantly regressed, and the lateral cervical lymph node metastases in all patients demonstrated notable reduction.

Conclusion: Combination therapy of TKIs and ICIs for the treatment of ATC patients can be highly effective and bringing better therapeutic outcomes and quality of life for patients.

Keywords: ICIS; TKIs; anaplastic thyroid carcinoma; anlotinib; combination therapy; sintilimab.

Figure 1

Comparison photos of Patient F before and after combined therapy. As is visible in the patient’s cervical photos, prior to the combined therapy, the tumor exhibited exophytic growth toward the anterior neck, nearly breaching the skin surface. Following the combined therapy, a marked reduction in the tumor size was observed.

Figure 2

Comparison of thyroid and lung metastatic nodules in Patient D before and after combined therapy. Based on the patient’s CT scan findings, it is evident that the thyroid carcinoma and pulmonary metastatic lesions have appreciably regressed following 6 weeks and 21 weeks of combination therapy.