The role of targeted therapy and/or immunotherapy therapy in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma

Background: Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is a highly invasive malignant tumor with a poor prognosis. Traditional treatment methods have not been effective. However, advancements in targeted therapy and immunotherapy in recent years have shed new light on the management of ATC. The aim of this study was to examine the treatment plan and prognostic factors of ATC.

Methods: This study conducted a retrospective analysis of ATC patients who received treatment at our institution between 2000 and 2023 to evaluate the clinical characteristics, treatment methods, and factors influencing survival. Survival analysis was performed by the Kaplan‒Meier method and log-rank test, and multivariate analysis was performed using the Cox proportional hazard model.

Results: The 6-month and 1-year disease-specific OS rates were 49% and 29%, respectively. The presence of clinical symptoms and the timing of treatment significantly impacted patient prognosis (P < 0.05). Compared with surgery + radiotherapy/chemotherapy and only surgery, targeted therapy and targeted + immunotherapy represented an improved overall survival, The 6-month/1-year survival rates of which were 81%/61% and 91%/73% (P < 0.05), respectively. Multivariate analysis indicated that the symptoms at initial diagnosis, year of presentation, performance status and treatment plan were independent factors affecting the prognosis. The year of presentation (P = 0.048) and the treatment plan (P = 0.038) were significantly meaningful in predicting prognosis.

Conclusion: Targeted therapy and targeted+immune therapy can effectively prolong the survival period of ATC patients. Symptoms at initial diagnosis and treatment plan have a significant impact on the prognosis.