Concordance of Molecular Classification Based on Fine Needle Biopsy (FNB) and Surgical Samples

Recruiting

• Conditions: Papillary Thyroid Cancer

• Registration Number: NCT06133374
• Lead Sponsor: University of Calgary

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine whether results from a fine needle biopsy are the same as results from a larger sample that is acquired from the surgical pathology using the Thyroid GuidePx® test in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Detailed Description

Thyroid cancer is the 8th most common cancer, and incidence has been increasing. Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) accounts for most thyroid cancers. Treatment decisions related to PTC depend on the doctor's estimate on whether the cancer is aggressive or not. Current methods for distinguishing aggressive tumors from less aggressive tumors rely on clinical factors as well as factors related to the final pathology (after the tumor has been removed). Ideally, the information required to make decisions would be available prior to surgery, so that surgical decisions can be made.

A new test is being developed to determine molecular features of a PTC and to estimate the risk of cancer recurrence after surgery. Thyroid GuidePx® provides unique information that may inform doctors' decisions. The greatest potential for Thyroid GuidePx® to impact on clinical care is if it can be performed prior to surgery on a fine needle biopsy (FNB). If Thyroid GuidePx® could be done on an FNB, it would inform surgeons on the type of surgery that would be most appropriate for an individual.

A recent feasibility study consisting of 12 patients with PTC demonstrated that performing the Thyroid GuidePx® assay on FNBs is feasible. However, reliance on a limited FNB for molecular disease characterization implies that the sample is representative of the entirety of the tumor. Genomic and transcriptomic heterogeneity has been described in primary tumors and metastases. Therefore, it will be important to document the concordance between samples acquired by FNB and surgical samples. The goal of this study is to determine whether the more limited sample from an FNB is sufficiently representative of the larger tumor to determine a valid molecular classification using the Thyroid GuidePx® test in patients with PTC.

Participants will be invited to participate if they have a preoperative tissue diagnosis of PTC (Bethesda VI) or suspicious for PTC (Bethesda V), and they are eligible for partial or total thyroidectomy. During surgery, when the thyroid gland and the tumor are exposed, the surgeon will perform an FNB of the dominant tumor (ie: the lesion identified preoperatively), under direct vision. The cellular material from the FNB will be sent for processing. Separate surgical samples will be processed and examined. This will follow routine specimen processing protocols and will not interfere with standard methods of pathologic diagnosis. Tissue will be released for research only once sufficient tissue is taken for diagnostic and clinical use. RNASeq for Thyroid GuidePx® for both FNB and surgical samples will be performed and compared.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2023-11-10
• Study First Submitted QC: 2023-11-10
• Study First Posted: 2023-11-15
• Status Verified: 2024-07
• Study Start: 2024-07-01
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-12-04
• Last Update Posted: 2024-12-05
• Primary Completion: 2028-05
• Study Completion: 2028-05

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 130

Inclusion Criteria

• Age ≥ 18 years
• A diagnosis of papillary thyroid cancer based on a fine needle biopsy (FNB) interpreted as a Bethesda V or VI cytology
• Tumor size > 1 cm in maximal diameter
• The patient is an operative candidate
• The patient has provided consent

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Exclusion Criteria

• Family history of thyroid cancer
• History of radiation to the neck
• Unable or unwilling to have a fine needle biopsy
• Unwilling to undergo thyroidectomy
• Final pathology does not demonstrate papillary thyroid cancer
• Cases where there is no clear dominant nodule
• Cases where there are multiple nodules that preclude sampling of a defined nodule

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Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Concordance between Thyroid GuidePx® molecular classifications acquired from FNAs and matched frozen surgical samples	December 1, 2025	The molecular class assignment (Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3), based on the pattern of expression of prognostic genes, will be compared between samples obtained by FNB and matched frozen surgical specimens. The significance of concordance between the two sample types will be determined using the kappa statistic.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
The technical success rate in completing a valid Thyroid GuidePx® using FNB and FFPE surgical samples	December 1, 2025	Sufficient RNA of good quality to perform the test
The recurrence outcomes using the ATA risk stratification system vs. patients classified by Thyroid GuidePx® using surgical samples	May 1, 2028	Biochemical and structural recurrence
The test performance of Thyroid GuidePx® as a prognostic test (FNB and surgical samples) in comparison to ATA Risk Stratification.	May 1, 2028	Specificity, sensitivity, AUROC, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value,

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Foothills Medical Centre; 🇨🇦 Calgary, Alberta, Canada