Improving diagnosis of thyroid nodules to reduce unnecessary surgeries

Development of a multi-analyte diagnostic assay to improve the risk stratification of indeterminate thyroid nodules

NIH-funded research Alaunus Biosciences, INC. · NIH-10684875

This study is working on a new test to help doctors figure out if thyroid nodules are cancerous or not, so patients can avoid unnecessary surgeries.

Quick facts

Grant typeSbir 2 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionAlaunus Biosciences, INC. NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Novato, United States)
Project IDNIH-10684875 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing a new diagnostic test to better assess thyroid nodules that are often found incidentally during imaging. Currently, many patients undergo unnecessary surgeries because existing tests cannot definitively determine whether these nodules are cancerous. The researchers are using advanced techniques to analyze enzyme activity in tissue samples, which may help distinguish between benign and malignant nodules more accurately. By identifying specific biomarkers associated with cancer, the goal is to reduce the number of patients who need invasive procedures.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have been diagnosed with indeterminate thyroid nodules and are facing the possibility of surgery.

Not a fit: Patients with clearly diagnosed malignant thyroid nodules or those without thyroid nodules may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce unnecessary thyroid surgeries and improve the accuracy of cancer diagnoses for patients with thyroid nodules.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using proteomics for cancer diagnostics, indicating that this approach may lead to significant advancements in the field.

Where this research is happening

Novato, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.