The occurrence of thyroid cancer has been increasing in the United States. For some patients, with particularly advanced and metastatic cancer, current treatments such as thyroidectomy and adjuvant radioactive iodine therapy can lead to poor outcomes. Hence, there is a need for new thyroid cancer treatments.

Researchers at the NCI have developed novel T-cell receptors (TCRs) to target thyroid cancer. They immunized HLA-A2+ transgenic mice to generate TCRs that recognize human thyroglobulin (TG). TG, a tissue-differentiation antigen, is only expressed in thyroid cancer and normal thyroid tissues. The anti-TG TCRs can be expressed in a patient’s peripheral blood lymphocytes as part of adoptive cell therapy (ACT) to treat cancer. This discovery, along with hormonal therapy to replace normal thyroid function, can be used to eradicate tumor cells. 
 
The National Cancer Institute, Surgery Branch, is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate or commercialize novel T-cell receptors for the treatment of metastatic thyroid cancer.

Competitive Advantages:

• Target specificity due to tissue-differentiation antigen that is only expressed in the thyroid
• Alternative treatment for patients with metastatic thyroid cancer that is resistant to the current standard of care

Commercial Applications:

• Immunotherapy for metastatic thyroid cancer