THYROGEN® (thyrotropin alfa) is a recombinant human thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) used as an adjunct for diagnostic thyroglobulin (Tg) testing, radioiodine imaging, and remnant ablation in post-thyroidectomy patients with well-differentiated thyroid cancer, enhancing iodine uptake and Tg release while avoiding hypothyroid symptoms associated with hormone withdrawal.

Therapeutic Role of Thyrotropin Alfa in Thyroid Cancer Diagnosis and Ablation

THYROGEN binds to TSH receptors on thyroid tissue, stimulating iodine uptake and thyroglobulin secretion. Clinically, it facilitates radioiodine imaging (administered 24 hours post-injection) and serum Tg testing (sampled 72 hours post-injection) for detecting residual/metastatic cancer. In ablation, THYROGEN combined with radioiodine achieves comparable remnant elimination rates to thyroid hormone withdrawal (e.g., 100% efficacy in pivotal trials with 100 mCi 131131I) while preserving euthyroid status. Adverse effects include nausea (11%) and headache (6%). Contraindications mirror those of radioiodine, including pregnancy. Limitations include lower Tg sensitivity vs. withdrawal and anti-Tg antibody interference. Renal impairment prolongs TSH elevation. Long-term recurrence data (>5 years) and pediatric safety are not specified in the description.