SNB can be successfully applied to early T1/2 tumors of the oral cavity/oropharynx in a standardized fashion by centers worldwide. For the majority of these tumors the SNB technique can be used alone as a staging tool.

rhTSH-stimulated (131)I therapy improves the reduction of very large goiters by more than 50%, compared with (131)I therapy alone, but at the expense of more adverse effects after therapy. Our data suggest that rhTSH stimulation may work through mechanisms that go beyond the increase in thyroid (131)I uptake.

Stimulation with recombinant human thyrotropin prior to (131)I therapy improves thyroid size reduction by 35%, with a 5-fold higher rate of hypothyroidism. These effects are, at least partially, mediated through mechanisms other than an increase in retained (131)I thyroid dose. Further recombinant human thyrotropin dose-finding studies are warranted before routine use.

In this dose-selection study, 0.03 mg MRrhTSH was the most efficacious dose as an adjuvant to (131)I therapy of MG. It was well tolerated and significantly augmented the effect of (131)I therapy in the short term. Larger studies with long-term follow-up are warranted.

This is the first study to demonstrate that rhTSH not only increases the thyroid 131I uptake, but per se potentiates the effect of 131I-therapy, allowing a major reduction of the 131I-activity without compromising efficacy. This approach is attractive in terms of minimizing posttherapeutic restrictions and in reducing the potential risk of radiation-induced malignancy.