title: RET TKI: potential role in thyroid cancers.
abstract: The increasing incidence of thyroid cancer is associated with a higher number of advanced disease characterized by the loss of cancer differentiation and metastatic spread. The knowledge of the molecular pathways involved in the pathogenesis of thyroid cancer has made possible the development of new therapeutic drugs able to blockade the oncogenic kinases (RET/PTC) or signaling kinases (vascular endothelial growth factor receptor [VEGFR]) involved in cellular growth and proliferation. Some clinical trials have been conducted showing the ability of targeted therapies able to inhibit RET(sorafenib, imatinib, vandetanib) in stabilizing the course of the disease. The aim of the introduction of these targeted therapies is to extend life duration assuring a good quality of life; however, further studies are needed to reach these goals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pisa, School of Medicine, Via Roma 67, 56100 Pisa, Italy. alessandro.antonelli@med.unipi.it
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Antonelli
authors.forename: Poupak
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fallahi
authors.forename: Silvia Martina
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mancusi
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Colaci
authors.forename: Libero
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Santarpia
authors.forename: Clodoveo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ferri
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018276:Carcinoma, Medullary / Q000188:drug therapy; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy / Q000379:methods; D051096:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D051096:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases