The unique signature of tyrosine kinase inhibitor-induced hypothyroidism
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are anti-cancer agents that inhibit the activity of oncogenic protein kinases. Thyroid hormone abnormalities are common during treatment with TKIs, typically manifesting as increased serum thyroid stimulating hormone concentrations and reduced tri-iodothyronine (T3) to thyroxine (T4) ratio, both in patients with an intact thyroid gland and those with hypothyroidism receiving thyroid hormone treatment. Studies have highlighted the effect of TKIs on peripheral thyroid hormone metabolism, particularly through interference with the activity of deiodinases in healthy tissues.
