title: Progress in molecular-based management of differentiated thyroid cancer.
abstract: Substantial developments have occurred in the past 5-10 years in clinical translational research of thyroid cancer. Diagnostic molecular markers, such as RET-PTC, RAS, and BRAF(V600E) mutations; galectin 3; and a new gene expression classifier, are outstanding examples that have improved diagnosis of thyroid nodules. BRAF mutation is a prognostic genetic marker that has improved risk stratification and hence tailored management of patients with thyroid cancer, including those with conventionally low risks. Novel molecular-targeted treatments hold great promise for radioiodine-refractory and surgically inoperable thyroid cancers as shown in clinical trials; such treatments are likely to become a component of the standard treatment regimen for patients with thyroid cancer in the near future. These novel molecular-based management strategies for thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer are the most exciting developments in this unprecedented era of molecular thyroid-cancer medicine.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Cellular and Molecular Thyroid Research, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. mxing1@jhmi.edu
authors.forename: Mingzhao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Xing
authors.forename: Bryan R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Haugen
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schlumberger
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D052138:Genes, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics; D005819:Genetic Markers; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D011379:Prognosis; D000077273:Thyroid Cancer, Papillary; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D005819:Genetic Markers