Outcome after intensity modulated radiotherapy for anaplastic thyroid carcinoma

High-Performance Metabolic Profiling of High-Risk Thyroid Nodules by ZrMOF Hybrids

Thyroid nodules (TNs) have emerged as the most prevalent endocrine disorder in China. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) remains the standard diagnostic method for assessing TN malignancy, although a majority of FNA results indicate benign conditions. Balancing diagnostic accuracy while mitigating overdiagnosis in patients with benign nodules poses a significant clinical challenge. Precise, noninvasive, and high-throughput screening methods for high-risk TN diagnosis are highly desired but remain less explored. Developing such approaches can improve the accuracy of noninvasive methods like ultrasound imaging and reduce overdiagnosis of benign nodule patients caused by invasive procedures. Herein, we investigate the application of gold-doped zirconium-based metal-organic framework (ZrMOF/Au) nanostructures for metabolic profiling of thyroid diseases. This approach enables the efficient extraction of urine metabolite fingerprints with high throughput, low background noise, and reproducibility. Utilizing partial least-squares discriminant analysis and four machine learning models, including neural network (NN), random forest (RF), logistic regression (LR), and support vector machine (SVM), we achieved an enhanced diagnostic accuracy (98.6%) for discriminating thyroid cancer (TC) from low-risk TNs by using a diagnostic panel. Through the analysis of metabolic differences, potential pathway changes between benign nodule and malignancy are identified. This work explores the potential of rapid thyroid disease screening using the ZrMOF/Au-assisted LDI-MS platform, providing a potential method for noninvasive screening of thyroid malignant tumors. Integrating this approach with imaging technologies such as ultrasound can enhance the reliability of noninvasive diagnostic methods for malignant tumor screening, helping to prevent unnecessary invasive procedures and reducing the risk of overdiagnosis and overtreatment in patients with benign nodules.

Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma: An Update

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is a rare and undifferentiated form of thyroid cancer. Its prognosis is poor: the median overall survival (OS) of patients varies from 4 to 10 months after diagnosis. However, a doubling of the OS time may be possible owing to a more systematic use of molecular tests for targeted therapies and integration of fast-track dedicated care pathways for these patients in tertiary centers. The diagnostic confirmation, if needed, requires an urgent biopsy reread by an expert pathologist with additional immunohistochemical and molecular analyses. Therapeutic management, defined in multidisciplinary meetings, respecting the patient's choice, must start within days following diagnosis. For localized disease diagnosed after primary surgical treatment, adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy is recommended. In the event of locally advanced or metastatic disease, the prognosis is very poor. Treatment should then involve chemotherapy or targeted therapy and decompressive cervical radiotherapy. Here we will review current knowledge on ATC and provide perspectives to improve the management of this deadly disease.

Effects of Lactobacillus on Interleukin-4 (IL-4), Tumour Necrosis Factor-Alpha (TNF-Alpha) and Immune Function in Allergic Rhinitis Rats

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a type of nasal mucosal inflammation. Lactobacillus plays a critical role in maintaining micro-ecological balance. This study aims to detect its effects on IL-4, TNF-α, Th1 and Th2 in AR sprapue-dawley (SD) rat after lactobacillus intervention. Ovalbumin (OVA) allergic AR SD rat model was established and assigned into model group, experimental group and blank group followed by analysis of Nasal mucosa under the microscope, IL-4 and TNF-α level by ELISA and immunohistochemistry assay, and Th1 and Th2 cells in spleen by flow cytometry. AR symptom in experimental group was significantly severe compared to blank group, but relative better compared to model group (p < 0.05). Nasal mucosal hyperemia and inflammation was significantly ameliorated in experimental group with significantly increased Th1 cells and Th1/Th2 ratio and decreased Th2 cells compared to model group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, Lactobacillus intervention reduced IL-4 and TNF-α expression in serum and tissue and ameliorated the inflammation in AR rat.

Clinical Outcome and Toxicity in the Treatment of Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer in Elderly Patients

Background: The present study aims to evaluate the outcomes and toxicity of elderly anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) patients receiving (chemo)radiotherapy, as well as to identify prognostic factors. Patients and methods: A systematic review using the MEDLINE/PubMed and Cochrane databases was performed. Individual data from all eligible studies were extracted, and a pooled analysis (n = 186) was conducted to examine patient characteristics and treatment. All consecutive ATC patients (≥65 years) treated between 2009 and 2019 at our institution were evaluated for outcomes concerning progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) probabilities and treatment-related toxicity. Results: The systematic review and pooled analysis identified age as a prognostic factor. The median OS of our patient cohort (n = 26) was three months (range = 0–125). The 6-, 12- and 24-month survival rates were 35%, 22% and 11%, respectively. In the univariate analysis, a Karnofsky performance status of >70%, the Union for International Cancer Control Tumor–Node–Metastasis classification, multimodal therapy and an EQD2 of >49 Gy were correlated with longer OS and PFS. The acute grade 3 toxicity of dysphagia, dyspnea, dermatitis, mucositis and dysphonia was found in 23%, 15%, 12%, 12% and 8% of patients. Conclusion: Age appears to be a prognostic factor in ATC. Elderly ATC patients can tolerate multimodal treatment and achieve a promising outcome. Prospective studies need to confirm our findings.

Treatment outcomes of radiotherapy for anaplastic thyroid cancer

Purpose

Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is a rare tumor with a lethal clinical course despite aggressive multimodal therapy. Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) may achieve a good therapeutic outcome in ATC patients, and the role of IMRT should be assessed. We retrospectively reviewed outcomes for ATC treated with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) or IMRT to determine the optimal treatment option and explore the role of radiotherapy (RT).

Materials and Methods

Between December 2000 and December 2015, 41 patients with pathologically proven ATC received RT with a sufficient dose of ≥40 Gy. Among them, 21 patients (51%) underwent surgery before RT. Twenty-eight patients received IMRT, and 13 received 3D-CRT. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), patterns of failure, and toxicity were examined.

Results

The median follow-up time for survivors was 38.0 months. The median and 1-year OS and PFS rates were 7.2 months and 29%, 4.5 months and 15%, respectively. Surgery significantly improved the prognosis (median OS: 10.7 vs. 3.9 months, p = 0.001; median PFS: 5.9 vs. 2.5 months, p = 0.007). IMRT showed significantly better PFS and OS than 3D-CRT, even in multivariate analysis (OS: hazard ratio [HR] = 0.30, p = 0.005; PFS: HR = 0.33, p = 0.005). Significantly higher radiation dose could be delivered with IMRT than 3D-CRT (EQD2₁₀ 66 vs. 60 Gy, p = 0.005). Only 2 patients had grade III dermatitis after IMRT. No other severe toxicity ≥grade III occurred.

Conclusion

Patients with ATC showed better prognosis through multimodal treatment. Furthermore, IMRT could achieve favorable survival rates by safely delivering higher dose than 3D-CRT.

The role of surgery in anaplastic thyroid cancer: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the role of surgery in the management of anaplastic thyroid cancer.

METHODS

Ovid MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases were searched for publications from December 2000 to July 2016. Selection criterion was a focus on the management of anaplastic thyroid cancer in adults. Studies addressing only nonsurgical management and review articles were excluded. Data extraction was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed on a subset of patients.

RESULTS

40 publications were included in the study. Approaches to unresectability and interpretations of resection varied widely. For patients undergoing primary surgery, the median survival was 6.6months. The median survival for non-surgical patients was 2.1months. In the subgroup analysis, the median survival time for patients undergoing surgery was significantly longer in Stage IVB (p=0.022) but not IVC disease. Negative margins did not afford a statistically significant survival benefit.

CONCLUSION

Surgery is a mainstay of treatment for Stage IVA and IVB disease. For Stage IVC cancer, distant metastasis was not a strict criterion against surgical candidacy among surgeons. The extent of resection and the definition of resectability remain controversial. Negative margins did not significantly increase survival.

External beam radiotherapy in thyroid carcinoma: clinical review and recommendations of the AIRO "Radioterapia Metabolica" Group

The therapeutic approach to thyroid carcinoma usually involves surgery as initial treatment. The use of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) is limited to high-risk patients and depends on clinical stage and histologic type. Different behavior patterns and degrees of aggressiveness of thyroid carcinomas require different management for differentiated, medullary, and anaplastic carcinoma. However, the role of EBRT is an issue of debate. Most clinical studies are retrospective and based on single-institution experiences. In this article, we review the main literature and give recommendations for the use of EBRT in thyroid carcinoma on behalf of the "Radioterapia Metabolica" Group of the Italian Radiation Oncology Association.

Recurrence and Survival After Gross Total Removal of Resectable Undifferentiated or Poorly Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the recurrence and survival after initial curative-intent surgery of resectable anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) and poorly differentiated thyroid cancer (PDTC).

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with ATC and PDTC who had been treated between 1985 and 2013. Among them, 119 patients who had undergone surgery with curative intent were included in this study. The outcome measures included the clinical response to treatment and the recurrence rates of three separate thyroid cancer groups: ATC, differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) with anaplastic foci, and PDTC.

RESULTS

Initial remission was achieved in 100 (84.0%) patients, with higher percentages in patients with DTC with anaplastic foci (97.8%) and PDTC (96.7%) compared with ATC (60.5%). The overall recurrence rate after initial remission was 30.8% in ATC, 25.9% in PDTC, and 6.7% in DTC with anaplastic foci. Pathologic diagnosis, preexisting goiter or tumors, along with tracheal and lymphatic/vascular invasion were correlated with recurrence (p < 0.001; p = 0.001, 0.006, 0.003, and 0.016, respectively). All patients without initial remission died due to local failure, and most patients with recurrence, apart from two PDTC patients, had distant metastasis. Overall mortality after initial curative-intent surgery was 58.1% in ATC, 8.7% in DTC with anaplastic foci, and 20% in PDTC.

CONCLUSIONS

The initial remission of resectable tumors was higher and the recurrence rate was lower in DTC with anaplastic foci and PDTC compared with ATC. Careful monitoring of the development of distant metastasis is necessary, especially in patients with aggressive pathology with tracheal and lymphovascular invasion.

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy use for the localized treatment of thyroid cancer: Nationwide practice patterns and outcomes

In the absence of randomized data, the optimal approach to adjuvant radiation therapy in locally advanced thyroid cancer remains unclear. We employed a large retrospective analysis to assess the best available evidence of a potential beneficial impact of intensity-modulated versus 3D-conformal radiotherapy (IMRT vs. 3D-CT). Retrospective analysis of adult thyroid cancer diagnosed between 2004 and 2011 within the National Cancer Database. Among patients treated with radiation therapy (N = 855), the use of IMRT (N = 437) increased among both comprehensive and academic centers (both p < 0.001), but not community hospitals (p = 0.43). Receipt of IMRT was associated with adverse clinical factors in multivariable analysis, including positive surgical margins, non-DTC histologies, and nodal metastases (all p < 0.001). IMRT use was associated with a significantly higher dose of radiation (60.7 vs. 52.4 Gy, p < 0.001). In multivariable analyses, receipt of IMRT demonstrated a trend toward improved overall survival (HR, 0.67; 95 % CI, 0.40-1.10; p = 0.115). This study presents the largest cohort to date examining receipt of IMRT in patients with locally advanced thyroid cancer and demonstrates an association between IMRT, treatment at a tertiary care center, higher total dose, and comparable or superior outcomes compared to patients treated with 3D conformal techniques despite more adverse disease features. In the absence of adequately powered prospective randomized trials, our retrospective analysis provides empirical evidence to support the use in these patients of dose escalation and IMRT, particularly at tertiary care centers.

Spanish consensus for the management of patients with anaplastic cell thyroid carcinoma

Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is the most aggressive solid tumor and almost uniformly lethal in humans. The Boards of the Thyroid Cancer Group of the Spanish Society of Endocrinology and Nutrition and the Grupo Español de Enfermedades Huérfanas e Infrecuentes of the Spanish Society of Oncology requested that an independent task force draft a more comprehensive consensus statement regarding ATC. All relevant literature was reviewed, including serial PubMed searches together with additional articles. This is the first, comprehensive Spanish consensus statement for ATC and includes the characteristics, diagnosis, initial evaluation, treatment goals, recommendations and modalities for locoregional and advanced disease, palliative care options, surveillance, and long-term monitoring. Newer systemic therapies are being investigated, but more effective combinations are needed to improve patient outcomes. Though more aggressive radiotherapy has reduced locoregional recurrences, median overall survival has not improved in more than 50 years.

Metronomic chemotherapy in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma: a potentially feasible alternative to therapeutic nihilism

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is one of the most aggressive malignancies and prognostic outlook remains very dismal. Treatment most often is palliative in intent attempting to relieve the patients from local compressive symptoms in the neck. Radical surgery, radiotherapy (RT), and chemotherapy have not been tested in large prospective trials, and current evidence from retrospective series and small trials indicate only marginal survival benefits. Given the poor prognostic and therapeutic outlook, patients must be encouraged to be actively involved in the decision making process. We report the case of an elderly patient who had no response to palliative RT, and was treated with oral metronomic chemotherapy. The response to oral metronomic chemotherapy was dramatic, and the patient has enjoyed complete freedom from symptoms as well as radiologically exhibits a complete regression. Thus, we document the first ever use of a simple, cost-effective, and convenient oral metronomic chemotherapeutic regimen delivering a remarkable response in an elderly patient with ATC.