Thyroid autoimmunity is a common condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland, leading to inflammation and damage to the gland. This can result in a range of thyroid pathologies, including hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. The prevalence of thyroid autoimmunity is increasing worldwide, and it is more common in women than in men.

Recent advances in research on thyroid autoimmunity and pathology have improved our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the development of autoimmune thyroid disease and have identified new targets for therapeutic interventions. These advances have also led to improvements in treatment strategies for patients with thyroid autoimmunity.

This Research Topic welcomes contributions of any type (clinical trial, correction, editorial, general commentary, hypothesis & theory, methods, mini review, opinion, original research, perspective, policy and practice reviews, review, study protocol, systematic review, technology and code) on topics around recent studies on new treatment strategies for patients with thyroid autoimmunity, thyroid orbitopathy and selected thyroid cancer.

For example, for patients with hypothyroidism on thyroid hormone replacement therapy new developments highlighted potential benefits of restoring optimal serumT4/T3 ratios. In particular, genetic profiling may be useful in identifying patients with inadequate peripheral T4 activation for whom T3 supplementation would be appropriate.

For thyroid orbitopathy improvements in standard therapies and protocols have made a big difference in outcomes. Adopting coordinated multi-specialty care for patients with thyroid orbitopathy has been advocated. In addition, expanding range of immunomodulating drugs have been trialed for treatment of thyroid orbitopathy.

Emerging novel strategies for treatment of Graves’ disease and orbitopathy include inducing immunotolerance or directly targeting the activity of the TSH receptor using small molecules or K1-70 antibody drug. Also advanced immunotherapies have been used to control selected thyroid cancer.

The results of different novel approaches to treat patients with thyroid autoimmunity are still awaiting and there are more under development. Without a doubt, further progress in novel therapies for autoimmune thyroid conditions is expected in coming years.

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Frontiers in Endocrinology

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