Clinical Thyroidology® for the Public
Summaries for the Public from recent articles in Clinical Thyroidology
Table of Contents | PDF File for Saving and Printing
THYROID EYE DISEASE
Effect of Tepezza™ (Teprotumumab) on thyroid eye disease
BACKGROUND
Thyroid eye disease (TED) occurs in about half of the people who have Graves’ disease. TED includes inflammation of the eyes, eye muscles and the surrounding tissues. Symptoms include dry eyes, red eyes, bulging of the eyes and double vision. In serious cases, TED can cause a person to lose their eyesight.
A major breakthrough in treating TED is a newer medication called Tepezza™ (Teprotumumab). Teprotumumab is a monoclonal antibody that works by blocking a key molecule responsible for causing TED. Even though this medication can improve TED, it is not clear that the benefits last over time. This study looked at whether Teprotumumab can provide long-term benefits in people with TED.
THE FULL ARTICLE TITLE
Rosenblatt TR et al. Extended long-term follow-up of proptosis regression after teprotumumab treatment for thyroid eye disease. Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. Epub 2026 Feb 16.
SUMMARY OF THE STUDY
The researchers studied 113 patients with Graves’ disease and TED at a medical center in Boston, MA. The patients completed the 8 infusions of teprotumumab between 2020 and 2022.
The researchers measured the bulging in each eye before treatment, right after treatment and over time.
About 20 months after treatment, 83 patients and ~ 2/3 of the eyes had less eye bulging than they had right after treatment. When compared to the bulging observed before treatment, 77 patients or ~60% of the eyes retain some improvement 20 months after treatment. However, 43 patients or ~31% of the eyes eventually had worse bulging at their follow up than they did before treatment. The researchers also found that the eyes became inflamed, or flared up, in 54% of the patients.
WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS STUDY?
This study suggests that the initial benefits after teprotumumab treatment in TED may not last over time. Most patients kept some of the improvement, but about 1/3rd of patients had worse TED than they had before treatment. Patients who are treated with teprotumumab should be cautioned about what to expect from the treatment and that the initial results may change over time. They should also have regular check-ups for a longer period to see if their TED stays stable and to see if other treatments are need.
— Susana Ebner MD
ATA RESOURCES
Graves’ Disease: https://www.thyroid.org/graves-disease/
Thyroid Eye Disease: https://www.thyroid.org/thyroid-eye-disease/
ABBREVIATIONS & DEFINITIONS
Graves’ disease: the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in the United States. It is caused by antibodies that attack the thyroid and turn it on.
Thyroid eye disease (TED): also known as Graves ophthalmopathy. TED is most often seen in patients with Graves’ disease but also can be seen with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. TED includes inflammation of the eyes, eye muscles and the surrounding tissues. Symptoms include dry eyes, red eyes, bulging of the eyes and double vision.
AMERICAN THYROID ASSOCIATION® , ATA® , THYROID® , CLINICAL THYROIDOLOGY® , and the distinctive circular logo are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as trademarks of the American Thyroid Association® , Inc.