Steven I. Sherman, MD, Department Chair, Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, describes the need to expand the clinical definition of radioactive iodine (RAI) resistance for patients with thyroid cancer.

The current definition of RAI resistance includes patients with metastatic thyroid cancers that do not take up RAI but have visible lesions by chest x-ray or CT scan. However, Sherman notes, other important definitions are becoming increasingly recognized, such as lesions that take up RAI but do not respond.

Efforts to expand the clinical definition of RAI resistant thyroid cancer are necessary to identify patients who should receive systemic chemotherapy, Sherman explains.

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Steven I. Sherman, MD, from the MD Anderson Cancer Center, describes the need to expand the clinical definition of radioactive iodine  resistance for patients with thyroid cancer. 

Dr. Sherman Defines RAI Resistance in Thyroid Cancer

Steven I. Sherman, MD, Department Chair, Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the clinical interest in MEK inhibitors for thyroid cancer and a broad range of other tumors that signal through the MAP kinase pathway, including those with activations in 

The investigation of MEK inhibitors in melanoma and colon cancer has been long standing. In thyroid cancer there are a number of preclinical studies that have demonstrated success with these agents.

The rationale behind the combination of BRAF and MEK inhibitors is to lessen the toxicities associated with BRAF inhibitors alone, since 

. This rationale has been supported in phase I studies showing that the use of a MEK inhibitor in combination with a BRAF inhibitor appears to prevent the bypassing resistance mechanism and side effects seen with single agent BRAF inhibition.

Steven I. Sherman, MD, from MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the clinical interest in MEK inhibitors for thyroid cancer and a broad range of other tumors that signal through the MAP kinase pathway.

Steven I. Sherman, MD

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Dr. Sherman Defines RAI Resistance in Thyroid Cancer

Dr. Sherman Discusses MEK Inhibitors for Thyroid Cancer