Teprotumumab in thyroid eye disease: wonder drug or great divider?

Abstract

Progress in management of thyroid eye disease (TED) has been slow for many decades. The recent introduction of teprotumumab (TEP) in the therapeutic arena for TED has had a major impact in view of its efficacy, particularly with respect to its ability to reduce proptosis. However, the high cost of TEP, limited availability to patients outside the USA and the lack of data on cost effectiveness are significant barriers to improving the care of patients with TED globally. Recent guidance from authoritative professional organisations deliver different perspectives on the role of teprotumumab in the routine management of patients with TED underscoring the complexities of interpreting the evidence. The advance that teprotumumab undoubtedly represents in managing TED effectively has highlighted inequities faced by patients and uncertainties about appropriate metrics of efficacy. Professional organisations have an important role addressing these problems. Future studies need to focus on optimising the measurement of outcomes and on assessing cost-effectiveness.