Using I-124 PET/CT to guide treatment decisions in thyroid cancer

Clinical Evaluation of a I-124 PET/CT Based Remnant Radioiodine Ablation Decision Concept in Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Using PROBE Design

Not applicable Interventional University of Wuerzburg · NCT01704586

This study is testing if a special type of imaging can help doctors decide if patients with thyroid cancer need a specific treatment to improve their outcomes.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment340 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 80 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Wuerzburg Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Essen and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT01704586 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial investigates the use of I-124 PET/CT imaging to inform decisions regarding remnant radioiodine ablation in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). The study aims to improve patient outcomes by determining the necessity of radioiodine treatment based on precise imaging results. Participants will include adults aged 18-80 with a confirmed diagnosis of DTC, and the trial will assess the effectiveness of I-124 in guiding treatment decisions compared to traditional methods. The study is conducted at multiple locations in Germany, including the University Clinic Essen and the University Clinic Würzburg.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18-80 with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

Not a fit: Patients with anaplastic or medullary carcinoma, or those with a history of prior malignancy within the past 5 years, may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to more personalized treatment plans and improved quality of life for patients with differentiated thyroid cancer.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results using advanced imaging techniques for treatment decision-making in cancer, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria common for all study subjects prior to randomisation:

* Histologically confirmed new diagnosis of DTC (including Hürthle-cell carcinoma)
* Age 18-80 years
* Performance Status of 0-2
* Tumor stage T1b to T4 with the possibility of lymph node involvement and distant metastasis according to the \[TNM\] staging system
* One- or two stage thyroidectomy, with or without central lymph node dissection
* Patient´s written informed consent
* Ability to comply with the protocol procedures

Exclusion criteria for all study subjects prior to randomisation:

* Anaplastic or medullary carcinoma
* History of prior malignancy within the past 5 years with limited life-time expectancy, except for cured non-melanoma skin cancer, cured in situ cervical carcinoma, or other treated malignancies with no evidence of disease for at least three years.
* Positive pregnancy test or breast feeding
* Any other severe acute or chronic medical or psychiatric condition, or laboratory abnormality that would impart, in the judgment of the investigator, excess risk associated with study participation, or which, in the judgment of the investigator, would make the patient inappropriate for entry into this study.
* Recent iodine contamination

After Randomisation

I-124 arm:

A: Inclusion criteria for no remnant ablation (low risk DTC):

* Stage I (according to AJCC, ref. 1,33) papillary or follicular carcinoma with the possibility of lymph node involvement but no distant metastasis and no microscopical residual disease (Patient age \<45y: any T, any N, M0; Patient age 45y or older: T1, N0, M0)
* I-124 uptake only in thyroid bed
* Absence of aggressive malignant histologic subtypes, including tall-cell, insular, poorly differentiated and diffuse sclerosing thyroid cancer

B: Inclusion criteria for remnant ablation (high risk DTC):

* All other \[TNM\] stages (stage II to stage IV C)
* Presence of aggressive malignant histologic subtypes, including tall-cell, insular, poorly differentiated and diffuse sclerosing thyroid cancer
* I-124 uptake in and outside thyroid bed

Standard arm:

-Standard I-131 ablation concept as defined for all T1b to T4 subjects.

Where this trial is running

Essen 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 Differentiated Thyroid CarcinomaDifferentiated thyroid carcinomaPET/CTRadioiodine Remnant AblationI-124Quality of life
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.