Next-generation sequencing in thyroid cancers: do targetable alterations lead to a therapeutic advantage? A multicenter experience

Radioiodine-refractory thyroid cancers (IRTCs) are uncommon and have a poor prognosis. Treatment options for radioiodine-refractory and anaplastic tumors (ATCs) are limited. Although the genomic landscape of thyroid cancer has been studied, there is little evidence on whether next-generation sequencing (NGS) findings translate to tumor control. We analyzed all patients with IRTC and ATC who underwent commercially available NGS in 3 cancer centers. Twenty-two patients were identified, 16 patients with IRTCs and 6 patients with ATCs. Eighteen (82%) had targetable findings in NGS, nine patients were treated accordingly. Median progression-free survival for targeted treatment was 50 months [95% confidence interval (CI95%) 9.8-66.6] and2 months (CI95% 0.2-16.5) for IRTC and ATC, respectively. Of 4 patients who achieved durable responses of 7 to 50 months, 2 are ongoing. The estimated median OS of IRTC receiving targeted treatment was not reached (CI95% 89.7-111.4 months) and was 77.8 months (CI95% 52.5-114.6) for patients treated conventionally (P = .3). NGS may detect clinically significant genetic alterations and benefit patients with advanced thyroid cancers.

Automated summary

Radioiodine-refractory thyroid cancers and anaplastic tumors have limited treatment options, but next-generation sequencing can detect clinically significant genetic alterations that benefit patients by improving survival outcomes.