Efficacy

Cometriq (Cabozantinib) Efficacy in Thyroid Cancer

Cometriq, known generically as cabozantinib, is a medication that has shown efficacy in the treatment of certain types of thyroid cancer. Specifically, Cometriq has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of progressive, metastatic medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). This type of thyroid cancer is particularly aggressive and does not typically respond well to standard chemotherapy. Clinical trials have demonstrated that Cometriq can significantly slow the progression of the disease. In a pivotal phase 3 clinical trial, patients treated with Cometriq experienced a median progression-free survival that was significantly longer compared to those who received a placebo.

Cometriq works by inhibiting multiple tyrosine kinases, which are enzymes that can promote tumor growth and angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels that supply the tumor with nutrients). By blocking these pathways, Cometriq can reduce tumor growth and spread. However, it is important to note that while Cometriq can control the disease and extend progression-free survival, it is not considered a cure for medullary thyroid cancer.

Gavreto (Pralsetinib) Efficacy in Thyroid Cancer

Gavreto, with the generic name pralsetinib, is another targeted therapy that has shown promise in the treatment of thyroid cancer. It has been granted accelerated approval by the FDA for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with advanced or metastatic RET-mutant medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) who require systemic therapy, or RET fusion-positive thyroid cancer who are radioactive iodine-refractory and have progressed following prior treatment. Gavreto is a selective RET kinase inhibitor, which means it targets the genetic alterations in the RET proto-oncogene that can drive cancer progression.

Clinical trials of Gavreto in patients with RET-driven thyroid cancers have reported high response rates, indicating a reduction in tumor size. In a phase 1/2 trial, Gavreto demonstrated a robust response in patients with RET-mutant medullary thyroid cancer, with the majority of patients experiencing tumor shrinkage. Additionally, Gavreto has shown efficacy in patients with RET fusion-positive thyroid cancers, offering a new treatment option for a population of patients with limited alternatives. As with Cometriq, Gavreto is not a cure, but it represents a significant advancement in the management of thyroid cancers with specific genetic alterations.