The Use of Immunotherapy in Papillary Thyroid Cancer

Abstract

Papillary Thyroid Cancer (PTC) is the 8th most common type of cancer and the most common type of thyroid cancer that is characterized by mutations often from radiation exposure. While early-stage PTC expresses high survival rate in patients, treatment options become limited for metastatic PTC, and for patients avoiding radioiodine therapy or chemotherapy. Recent studies in immunotherapy have become a promising alternative by boosting immune system response to target and eliminate cancerous cells. However, PTC employs by downregulating NK cells, T cells, and inhibiting immune checkpoints to become unrecognizable to T cells which normally kill off tumor cells. Current research explores immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and specific genes like TGFBR3 that target specific immune checkpoints, and prevent PTC tumor cells from interacting with immune cells. Despite the absence of any FDA-approved immunotherapies, ongoing clinical trials research combination therapies to optimize the role of immunotherapy in PTC suppression and improve patient outcomes. By utilizing combination therapies and genetic targeting, scientists may be able to develop effective immunotherapies that decrease dependency on surgery and radioiodine treatments in the near future.