Where anaplastic thyroid cancer treatment is heading
Anaplastic thyroid cancer · Updated Nov 12, 2026
Anaplastic thyroid cancer is rare, affecting roughly 1,000 to 1,500 people a year in the US, and grows fast. Survival used to be measured in months. Gene testing, targeted pills and immunotherapy have extended it, especially for tumors with a BRAF change.
- 28studies open or running
- 2phase 3 trials
- 112papers published this year
- 20NIH-funded projects
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Now
Nov 2026
BRAF pills shrink most BRAF tumorsHappened 68% tumors shrank on BRAF pills
Dabrafenib with trametinib is approved for anaplastic thyroid cancer with the BRAF V600E change.
68%: had their tumors shrink on BRAF and MEK pills.
Matched drugs plus immunotherapyHappened 19 months median survival
A trial matching drugs to each tumor's gene change, plus atezolizumab, reached a median survival of 19 months.
19: months median survival, against about 5 months historically.
An option without the BRAF changeHappened 13 months median survival
Lenvatinib with pembrolizumab gave a median of 13 months in tumors without BRAF.
13: months median survival without the BRAF change, against about 3 months historically.
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6 months
by May 2027
Targeted pills before surgeryPossible
A Dutch trial gives dabrafenib and trametinib before and after surgery for BRAF tumors. Due January 2027.
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12 months
by Nov 2027
Three-drug combinations reportPossible
Small trials add an immunotherapy to BRAF and MEK pills, at Memorial Sloan Kettering and MD Anderson.
A new MEK drug enters testingPossible
A company plans a potentially registration-level trial of atebimetinib with chemotherapy, applying to start by end of 2026.
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3 years
by late 2029
Immunotherapy plus targeted drugs before surgeryPossible 68% tumors shrank on BRAF pills
An MD Anderson trial tests pembrolizumab with BRAF and MEK pills before surgery. It finishes in 2028.
68%: had their tumors shrink on BRAF and MEK pills.
UK gene-matched trials reportLong shot
Two arms of the UK DETERMINE program test BRAF-MEK combinations in rare cancers, including this one.
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5 years
by late 2031
Immunotherapy after surgery tested properlyLong shot
A randomized trial could confirm the early signal from giving pembrolizumab after surgery and radiation.
Long-term survival for more peopleLong shot 19 months median survival
Combining gene-matched drugs with immunotherapy before surgery could make long-term survival common for BRAF tumors.
19: months median survival, against about 5 months historically.
The research paths
Gene-matched pills
68% tumors shrank on BRAF pillsDetails and 3 trialsHide
About 45% of tumors carry the BRAF V600E change, and BRAF plus MEK pills shrink most of them. Giving them before surgery looks especially promising.
WatchTrials of these pills before surgery.
Adding immunotherapy
19 months median survivalDetails and 3 trialsHide
Combining immunotherapy with targeted drugs has produced survival measured in years for some people. All results so far are from small trials without comparison groups.
WatchAny randomized trial.
Tumors without a target
13 months median survivalDetails and 1 trialsHide
About 60% of tumors lack the BRAF change. Lenvatinib with pembrolizumab and antibody-drug conjugates are being tried.
WatchThe sacituzumab govitecan trial.
Borrowed from other cancers
From Melanoma
Dabrafenib and trametinib
68% tumors shrank on BRAF pills
Approved
BRAF and MEK pills developed for melanoma with the same BRAF change.
From Endometrial and kidney cancer
Lenvatinib and pembrolizumab
13 months median survival
Phase 2
A pairing approved in other cancers, tested here for tumors without BRAF.
From Breast cancer
Sacituzumab govitecan
Phase 2
An antibody that carries chemotherapy into cells, tested in aggressive thyroid cancers.
Open to join now
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BRAF tumors, UK
Dabrafenib-trametinib (DETERMINE)
Locations and eligibility → -
BRAF tumors, UK
Vemurafenib-cobimetinib (DETERMINE)
Locations and eligibility → -
Aggressive thyroid cancers, Spain
Sacituzumab govitecan
Locations and eligibility → -
BRAF tumors, Netherlands
Targeted pills before surgery
Locations and eligibility →
See every recruiting anaplastic thyroid cancer trial →
When the trials finish
Completion dates the trials registered. Results usually follow 3 to 12 months later.
- Heating up
- Maturing
- Early
- Cooling
- Fully enrolled, waiting on results
- Still enrolling
Knowledge on the way
Not treatments yet: detection, causes and how care is delivered. Mostly NIH-funded.
- AreaQuestionFunded throughNews likely
- Care Better treatment strategies through integrated researchMD Anderson · NIH Funded through Aug 2031 News likely 2029–2031
- Biology How surrounding support cells help thyroid cancer growVanderbilt University · NIH Funded through Aug 2027 News likely 2027
- Biology Blood-cell changes that make thyroid cancer resist treatmentMemorial Sloan Kettering · NIH Funded through May 2031 News likely 2029–2031
What just happened
New MEK-drug trial announced
Atebimetinib with chemotherapy; application to start by end of 2026.
Lenvatinib-pembrolizumab: 13 months median survival
In tumors without the BRAF change.
Pembrolizumab after surgery linked to fewer relapses
Small study with a historical comparison group.
Standard treatment today
- At diagnosisUrgent gene testing of the tumor (BRAF and others) and quick referral to a specialist center.
- Can be removedSurgery when possible, then radiation with or without chemotherapy.
- BRAF V600E presentDabrafenib with trametinib, sometimes before surgery to shrink the tumor; immunotherapy may be added.
- No BRAF changeImmunotherapy combinations, lenvatinib, chemotherapy, or a clinical trial.
How to read this page, and sourcesHow to read this page, and sources
- Almost all evidence comes from small studies without randomized comparison groups.
- The yearly case estimate is approximate.
- Completion dates are what each trial registered. Results usually follow 3 to 12 months later.
- Forecasts are editorial judgments by Find a Trial, not predictions from sponsors or regulators.
See anaplastic thyroid cancer trials recruiting now →