Metabolic marker test to make thyroid biopsy results clearer
Clinical Validation of Metabolic Markers Detected by Mass Spectrometry Imaging for Diagnosis of Thyroid Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsies
A new lab test using mass spectrometry imaging of biopsy cells aims to help doctors tell whether thyroid nodules with unclear needle biopsy results are cancer or not.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11301896 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If your thyroid biopsy comes back indeterminate, this project looks at tiny chemical signatures (metabolic markers) in the biopsy sample using mass spectrometry imaging. Researchers will compare those marker patterns to final surgical pathology and current molecular tests to see if the markers reliably separate benign from cancerous nodules. The work is a clinical validation effort, meaning it seeks to show the test works on real patient samples from people who had fine-needle aspiration. The goal is to provide clearer results so fewer people need repeat biopsies or unnecessary thyroid surgery.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people who have thyroid nodules with indeterminate results on a fine-needle aspiration biopsy.
Not a fit: Patients whose biopsies are already clearly benign or clearly malignant by standard cytology, or those who do not undergo FNA, are unlikely to benefit from this test.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this test could reduce unnecessary diagnostic thyroid surgeries, spare patients surgical risks, and lower the chance of lifelong thyroid hormone replacement from avoidable operations.
How similar studies have performed: Genomic tests have previously reduced unnecessary surgeries, and applying mass spectrometry imaging to metabolic markers is a newer but promising approach with encouraging early data.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- Baylor College of Medicine — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Suliburk, James — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Suliburk, James
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 below.