Testing a new treatment for rare thyroid cancers
Official title: Phase II trial of avutometinib plus defactinib in RAF dimer-driven thyroid cancers
Funded at Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research · NIH-10974281 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $191,064 |
| NIH project number | 1R01FD008181-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10974281 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
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.
✕Less likely to help
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.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ho, Alan L. — Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
- Study coordinator: Ho, Alan L.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.