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Tyrosine kinase inhibitor-induced hypothyroidism: incidence, etiology, and management

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Abstract

In recent years, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have emerged as a new class of anti-cancer therapy with proven efficacy in several types of carcinoma. Although generally considered less toxic than cytotoxic chemotherapy, TKIs do have significant side effects including fatigue and hypertension. In addition, TKI-induced thyroid dysfunction is now recognized as a common toxicity that is associated with some TKI inhibitors. Detection of TKI-induced thyroid dysfunction requires routine monitoring of thyroid function and, in some cases, may require treatment. This review provides a comprehensive assessment of literature evaluating TKI-induced thyroid dysfunction, focusing on the potential mechanisms that result in this toxicity, whether the development of thyroid dysfunction is clinically meaningful, and controversies regarding treatment with thyroid hormone therapy.

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Acknowledgements

The author thanks Drs. Renee Aronsohn, Colleen Flynn, and Shanika Samarasinghe for reviewing this manuscript.

Conflict of interest statement

No benefits in any form have been received from a commercial party related directly or indirectly to the topic of this article. No funds were received to support this study.

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  1. Section of Adult and Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave, Mail Code 1027, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA

    Rebecca L. Brown

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Correspondence to Rebecca L. Brown.

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Brown, R.L. Tyrosine kinase inhibitor-induced hypothyroidism: incidence, etiology, and management. Targ Oncol 6, 217–226 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11523-011-0197-2

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