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Thyroid Cancer Research

Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University delivers the best thyroid cancer treatment to patients in need. Our exceptional care is made possible through thyroid cancer research.

Researching Thyroid Cancer Developing Novel Therapies at Winship

Every year, researchers make progress in finding new ways to diagnose and treat thyroid cancers. Most thyroid cancers are now treatable and curable.

Advanced diagnostic methods have allowed physicians to detect thyroid cancer earlier. Thyroid cancer research has shown that when surgery is combined with radioiodine therapy and thyroid hormone therapy, it results in higher cure rates, lower recurrence rates and longer survival.

Types of Thyroid Cancer Research

Several types of thyroid cancer research are currently in progress around the world. These include:

  • Gene research. Understanding the genetic causes of familial medullary thyroid cancer (which is hereditary) makes early detection more feasible. Genetic testing allows a person to find out if they carry any of the abnormal genes related to thyroid cancers and whether they are at risk of developing them. For instance, if a person tests positive for the RET gene (associated with familial medullary thyroid cancer), they can choose to have the thyroid gland removed before cancer develops. Learning your genetic risk factors leads to better treatment and improved survival outcomes.
  • Treatment research. Radioiodine therapy is a widely used treatment method for many thyroid cancers. But there are some people who simply do not respond well to that kind of treatment. Research is underway to find out whether certain genes — like changes in the BRAF gene — make a patient less likely to respond to radioiodine therapy and whether targeted therapy drugs can be useful in reactivating radioiodine’s effectiveness.
  • Kinase inhibitors. Kinase inhibitors are a class of targeted drugs that home in on unique characteristics of a tumor and eradicate the cancerous cells. They show great promise in treating thyroid cancer, specifically for thyroid cancer cells with mutations in the BRAF and RET/PTC genes. Drugs that target cells with BRAF gene changes, such as vemurafenib (Zelboraf), dabrafenib (Tafinlar) and selumetinib, are being studied in thyroid cancers with this gene change.

Thyroid Cancer Clinical Trials

In addition to standard therapy, many Winship patients with thyroid cancer are eligible to participate in a clinical trial. Clinical trials are controlled studies that test new interventions on a disease, such as thyroid cancer. They offer participants early access to novel treatments that are not yet commercially available.

Participating in Clinical Research

As a research center, our physicians will make every effort to match you with a clinical trial that targets your unique cancer. It’s best if you enroll from the beginning, so let your doctor know on your first visit if you’re interested in learning more about a clinical trial. Most clinical trials are supplemental, meaning you’ll still receive the standard therapy in addition to any treatment being studied.

Support for Clinical Trial Participation

Winship conducts thyroid cancer research at the following locations:

We welcome trial participants from all over Georgia and beyond. Talk with your doctor about whether you are eligible to participate in a clinical trial. Our supportive oncology team can assist you with services, such as finding affordable accommodations near Winship for the duration of your clinical trial.