Integrating molecular signals to guide thyroid cancer care
Official title: Integrating molecular programs into clinical frameworks to inform optimal thyroid cancer care
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11452026 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A doctor-scientist team at Brigham and Women’s Hospital is studying how tumor biology and the immune environment can guide personalized monitoring and treatment for differentiated thyroid cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $273,049 |
| NIH project number | 1K08CA308865-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11452026 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults diagnosed with differentiated thyroid carcinoma, especially those in intermediate-risk categories or facing decisions about systemic therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with thyroid cancer outside the studied subtypes or those not undergoing targeted biomarker-guided care may see limited or no benefit.
What this research studies
This project will explore how specific tumor programs and immune changes affect the course of differentiated thyroid carcinoma and how these insights could change how we monitor patients at risk of recurrence or progression. By linking molecular patterns to clinical outcomes, the study aims to create more precise risk stratification and inform treatment choices for advanced disease. The research will focus on tumor EMT signaling, immune milieu changes, and their prognostic value in real-world care settings. Results could lead to tailored monitoring schedules and better-informed systemic therapy decisions for patients with DTC.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with differentiated thyroid cancer could receive more personalized monitoring and treatment plans, potentially improving outcomes and reducing unnecessary interventions.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have linked EMT and immune signaling to cancer progression, suggesting this approach could yield meaningful insights, though exact biomarkers for DTC are still under investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pappa, Theodora — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Pappa, Theodora
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.