Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs), which include thymomas and thymic carcinomas, are a rare, heterogeneous group of malignancies that originate from the thymus gland. As an important organ of immune cell development, thymic tumors, particularly thymomas, are often associated with paraneoplastic autoimmune disorders. The advances in targeted therapies for both solid and hematologic malignancies have resulted in improved patient outcomes, including better and more durable efficacy and improved toxicity. Targeted therapies have also been investigated in the treatment of TETs, though the results have largely been modest. These have included somatostatin-receptor-targeting therapies, KIT- and EGFR-directed tyrosine kinase inhibitors, epigenetic modulators, anti-angiogenesis agents, and agents targeting the cell proliferation and survival pathways and cell cycle regulators. Numerous investigated treatments have failed or underperformed due to a lack of a strong biomarker of efficacy. Ongoing trials are attempting to expand on previous experiences, including the exploration of effective drugs in early-stage disease. Novel combination therapy strategies are also undergoing evaluation, with the goal of augmenting efficacy and understanding the toxicity while expanding the biomarkers of efficacy and safety. With advances in technology to improve target identification and drug delivery, old targets may become new opportunities, and the subsequently developed drugs may find their place in the treatment of thymic tumors.
胸腺上皮肿瘤（TETs）包括胸腺瘤与胸腺癌，是一组起源于胸腺的罕见异质性恶性肿瘤。作为免疫细胞发育的重要器官，胸腺肿瘤（尤其是胸腺瘤）常伴随副肿瘤性自身免疫性疾病。实体瘤与血液系统恶性肿瘤靶向治疗的进展已显著改善患者预后，包括获得更优且更持久的疗效并降低治疗毒性。靶向治疗在胸腺上皮肿瘤领域亦得到探索，但总体疗效有限。现有研究涵盖生长抑素受体靶向疗法、KIT与EGFR导向的酪氨酸激酶抑制剂、表观遗传调节剂、抗血管生成药物，以及针对细胞增殖/存活通路与细胞周期调控因子的药物。由于缺乏强效生物标志物，多数治疗方案未能达到预期疗效。当前临床试验正基于既往经验进行拓展，包括探索早期疾病的有效治疗药物。新型联合治疗策略正在评估中，旨在增强疗效、明确毒性特征，同时拓展疗效与安全性生物标志物体系。随着靶点识别与药物递送技术的进步，传统靶点可能焕发新生机，后续研发的药物有望在胸腺肿瘤治疗领域确立其临床价值。
肿瘤(癌症)患者之家