Actos improves efficacy of radioiodine therapy in Metastatic Thyroid Cancer

A new study of the effectiveness of Actos(pioglitazone), from Takeda, given prior to radioiodine therapy in patients with Metastatic Thyroid Cancer suggests the drug can enhance the effectiveness of the radiotherapy when repeated. Usually, repeated radio-ablation therapy with iodine-131 to treat Metastatic Thyroid Cancer can be less effective than the initial treatment round due to de-differentiation of the cancer cells as the disease progresses, making them less sensitive to I-131. However Actos and other glitazones, a class of PPAR drugs capable of re-differentiating the cancer cells, can enhance their I-131 uptake, according to data presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Thyroid Association. Devendra Wadwekar, MD, and coworkers from the University of Utah - Salt Lake City found that short-term Actos treatment caused no side effects. In 38% of patients, I-131 uptake by Metastasized Cancer cells in the lung increased significantly compared to no or low uptake in previous rounds of radio-ablation therapy. Additionally, thyroglobulin levels were reduced in the blood of all patients that received Actos pre-treatment, suggesting a decrease in metastatic disease. Long term efficacy and survival remains to be determined.