Five New Clinical Trials Could Change How We Treat Thyroid Disease—Here's What's Happening

Five groundbreaking clinical trials are currently recruiting participants to advance thyroid treatment options, potentially offering new hope for the nearly 20 million Americans living with thyroid disorders. These studies range from comparing natural versus synthetic hormone therapies to testing innovative treatments for thyroid eye disease and cancer.

Why Are These Trials So Important Right Now?

Thyroid conditions affect women 5 to 8 times more often than men, with one in eight women experiencing a thyroid disorder during their lifetime. Yet nearly 60% of people with thyroid issues remain undiagnosed because symptoms like fatigue, weight changes, and mood shifts often overlap with other health concerns.

January marks Thyroid Awareness Month, making this an ideal time to highlight how ongoing research could transform treatment approaches. These five active trials are addressing some of the biggest gaps in current thyroid care.

What New Treatment Options Are Being Tested?

The most significant study compares Armour Thyroid, a natural desiccated thyroid hormone therapy derived from porcine thyroid, with standard synthetic levothyroxine (T4) in adults with primary hypothyroidism. This trial is recruiting at over 130 sites across the United States and could provide crucial evidence for patients who don't achieve optimal symptom relief with synthetic therapy alone.

Unlike synthetic T4, Armour Thyroid contains both T4 and T3 hormones, which may better mimic the body's natural thyroid hormone profile. Researchers are assessing hormone levels, symptom control, and quality of life to determine whether natural therapy offers advantages over synthetic options.

For thyroid eye disease (TED), investigators are evaluating AMG 732, an investigational biologic therapy for people with moderate-to-severe active disease. This autoimmune condition significantly affects vision, appearance, and quality of life, but current treatment options remain limited. The study includes quality-of-life assessments that capture how TED affects daily activities and visual function, providing insights beyond physical eye changes alone.

How Could These Studies Change Cancer Treatment?

Three trials focus specifically on thyroid cancer treatment advances. One Phase 1 study explores PF-07799933, an oral investigational therapy for advanced or metastatic solid tumors with specific BRAF alterations, including thyroid cancer. The therapy is being tested both alone and in combination with other treatments like binimetinib or cetuximab.

A particularly innovative approach involves developing a patient decision aid for individuals with medullary thyroid cancer and their caregivers. This tool helps patients make informed choices about starting or stopping medications, participating in clinical trials, or continuing active surveillance. The research addresses a critical gap by focusing on shared decision-making rather than just testing new drugs.

The most comprehensive cancer trial directly compares two active treatment strategies for patients with differentiated thyroid cancer that no longer responds to radioactive iodine and carries a BRAF V600E mutation. This Phase III study compares cabozantinib with a combination of dabrafenib and trametinib, allowing crossover if disease progresses.

Key benefits these trials could provide include:

• Treatment Optimization: Guidance on whether natural thyroid hormones offer better symptom management than synthetic alternatives for hypothyroid patients
• Expanded Options: New biologic therapies for thyroid eye disease patients who have limited current treatment choices
• Personalized Cancer Care: More precise treatment strategies based on specific genetic mutations and tumor characteristics
• Improved Decision-Making: Better tools to help patients and families navigate complex treatment choices with rare thyroid cancers

These studies represent a shift toward more personalized thyroid care, recognizing that one-size-fits-all approaches may not work for everyone. The trials are recruiting participants across multiple countries, with many sites located throughout the United States, making participation accessible to patients nationwide.