Vandetanib is the most largely used tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) in patients with locally advanced and/or metastatic medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). Here, we conducted a systematic review on its efficacy and attempted to perform a meta-analysis adopting standardized RECIST criteria as end-points.
The terms “medullary thyroid” and “protein kinase inhibitor” (then including all TKIs) were searched in PubMed,
The search revealed 487 articles, and, after removing duplicates, reading title and abstract, and screening the eligible papers, 10 studied were finally included. Two papers were randomized controlled trials and eight were observational longitudinal studies. No data were available for overall survival. No heterogeneity nor publication bias were recorded in the pooled rate of complete response (0.7%) and stable disease (47%). Mild to moderate heterogeneity were recorded in the pooled rate of other endpoints. Data of the studies did not allow to perform a meta-analysis of time-to-event outcomes.
Vandetanib should be considered as a promising treatment in advanced MTC. However, data based on RECIST endpoints do not currently provide high-level evidence on its efficacy.