F-18 Tetrafluoroborate PET/CT to find recurrent or residual differentiated thyroid cancer

F-18 Tetrafluoroborate PET/CT in Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

Not applicable Interventional Ankara University · NCT07436455

This test will see if F-18 Tetrafluoroborate PET/CT finds recurrent or residual differentiated thyroid cancer better than standard F-18 FDG PET/CT in adults who had surgery and radioactive iodine and now have rising thyroglobulin or anti-thyroglobulin.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorAnkara University Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Ankara, Ankara and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT07436455 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This interventional imaging study enrolls adults with differentiated thyroid cancer who have had surgery and radioactive iodine but now show rising serum thyroglobulin or anti-thyroglobulin and negative or equivocal I-131 whole-body scans. Participants undergo F-18 Tetrafluoroborate (TFB) PET/CT imaging and results are compared with standard F-18 FDG PET/CT and conventional imaging (neck ultrasound, thorax CT) for lesion detection. F-18 TFB is taken up via the sodium-iodide symporter (NIS) in thyroid cells, a mechanism similar to I-131 but with PET imaging sensitivity. The study aims to determine whether F-18 TFB improves detection of thyroid cancer lesions that other imaging misses.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults (≥18) who had surgery and radioactive iodine for differentiated thyroid cancer, now have elevated serum Tg and/or ATg, negative or equivocal I-131 whole-body scans, a Karnofsky performance status ≥50, and can give informed consent.

Not a fit: Patients under 18, pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, or those without elevated Tg/ATg or with clear findings on standard imaging are unlikely to benefit from this imaging comparison.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the technique could detect recurrent or residual disease more accurately and earlier, helping doctors choose the right follow-up or treatment.

How similar studies have performed: Previous small studies have shown F-18 TFB is superior to I-131 whole-body scans and have reported promising lesion detection versus FDG PET/CT, but larger direct comparative data remain limited.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Having undergone surgery for differentiated thyroid cancer and received radioactive iodine therapy
* Being evaluated for lesion detection due to elevated serum Tg and/or ATg levels during post-treatment follow-up
* Negative or equivocal I-131 whole-body scan findings
* Karnofsky Performance Status ≥ 50 (or equivalent Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group \[ECOG\]/World Health Organization \[WHO\] performance status)
* Giving written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Age under 18 years
* Pregnancy or breastfeeding
* Failure to provide written informed consent

Where this trial is running

Ankara, Ankara and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Thyroid CancerDifferentiated Thyroid CancerF-18-tetrafluoroboratePET/CTNIS
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.