Testing a new treatment for rare thyroid cancers

Phase II trial of avutometinib plus defactinib in RAF dimer-driven thyroid cancers

NIH-funded research Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research · NIH-10974281

This study is looking at how well a new combination treatment with avutometinib and defactinib works for people with tough-to-treat thyroid cancers that haven’t responded to regular therapies, to see if it can help improve their situation.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionSloan-Kettering Inst Can Research NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-10974281 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the effectiveness of a combination treatment using avutometinib and defactinib for patients with two aggressive types of thyroid cancer: radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer and anaplastic thyroid cancer. These cancers are driven by specific genetic mutations that make them difficult to treat. The study aims to assess how well this new therapy can improve outcomes for patients whose cancers have not responded to standard treatments. Participants will receive the new treatment and undergo monitoring to evaluate its impact on their cancer.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer or anaplastic thyroid cancer who have not responded to existing therapies.

Not a fit: Patients with thyroid cancers that are not driven by RAF dimers or those who have already responded well to other treatments may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new treatment option that significantly improves survival rates for patients with these challenging thyroid cancers.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promising results with targeted therapies for specific genetic mutations in thyroid cancers, indicating potential for success with this novel approach.

Where this research is happening

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.