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Horm Metab Res 2015; 47(10): 789-796
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1555901
Review
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Future Prospects for the Treatment of Graves’ Hyperthyroidism and Eye Disease

S. Neumann
1   Laboratory of Endocrinology and Receptor Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, USA
,
R. F. Place
2   Nova Therapeutics LLC, E Foothill Blvd, Pasadena, USA
,
C. C. Krieger
1   Laboratory of Endocrinology and Receptor Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, USA
,
M. C. Gershengorn
1   Laboratory of Endocrinology and Receptor Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, USA
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 19 March 2015

accepted 26 June 2015

Publication Date:
21 July 2015 (online)

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Abstract

Although there are adequate therapies for Graves’ hyperthyroidism, mild to moderate Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) is usually treated symptomatically whereas definitive therapy is reserved for severe, vision-threatening GO. Importantly, none of the treatment regimens for Graves’ disease used today are directed at the pathogenesis of the disease. Herein, we review some aspects of what is known about the pathogenesis of these 2 major components of Graves’ disease, specifically the apparent important roles of the TSH and IGF-1 receptors, and thereafter describe future therapeutic approaches directed at these receptors. We propose that targeting these receptors will yield effective and better tolerated treatments for Graves’ disease, especially for GO.

Key words

Graves’ hyperthyroidism - Graves’ orbitopathy - TSH receptor (TSHR) - IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R)
 

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