C10073: Seventy Two Gene Model for 8 Thyroid Tumor Types Value Proposition: Thyroid cancer represents 90% of all neuroendocrine malignancies with an estimated annual incidence of 122,800 cases worldwide. Currently, the most useful tool for the diagnosis of thyroid cancer is Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNA). This current method is extremely useful when tumors exhibit classic cytologic features, unfortunately; it also has its drawbacks in that 15-30% of FNAs fall into and “indeterminate” or “suspicious” category. Compounding this problem the surgical management of a benign thyroid tumor compared to a malignant one differs drastically. JHU scientists have identified the gene expression profiles for eight thyroid tumor types providing a “molecular signature” or “diagnostic set of markers” that can potentially differentiate between malignant and benign thyroid tumors, classify a thyroid lesion, identify thyroid tumor stages, and provide a method of identifying a specific thyroid tumor treatment agent.
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This invention provides a method to distinguish the eight thyroid tumor types from one another, differentiate between malignant and benign thyroid tumors, classify a thyroid lesion, identify thyroid tumor stages, and provide a method of identifying a specific thyroid tumor treatment agent. Additionally, this invention would solve the clinical problem associated with the clinical management of patients who present with suspicious or indeterminate FNA of the thyroid. The gene list could potentially be used for research purposes to include: in situ hybridization, RT/PCR, Western Blot Analysis, and Northern immunocytochemistry.
Publications/Associated Cases:
• 1. Wang, Y., Kowalski, J., Tsai, H. -., Marik, R., Prasad, N., Somervell, H., et al. (2008). Differentiating alternative splice variant patterns of human telomerase reverse transcriptase in thyroid neoplasms. Thyroid, 18(10), 1055-1063.
• 2. Prasad, N. B., Somervell, H., Tufano, R. P., Dackiw, A. P. B., Marohn, M. R., Califano, J. A., et al. (2008). Identification of genes differentially expressed in benign versus malignant thyroid tumors. Clinical Cancer Research, 14(11), 3327-3337.
