RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Investigating Utility of ctDNA and Tumour Evolution in Advanced Thyroid Cancer

This study is investigating advanced thyroid cancer, even when it comes back after initial treatment. While most thyroid cancers are successfully treated, some can return and become harder to manage. Current methods for tracking the disease can be slow. This research will collect blood and tissue samples from participants to analyse proteins and look for 'circulating tumour DNA' (ctDNA) – tiny fragments of cancer DNA in the blood. By understanding how these cancers change over time and react to treatment, the researchers hope to find better ways to detect progression, monitor treatment effectiveness, and ultimately develop more tailored and effective treatments for different types of advanced thyroid cancer. This is a crucial step towards improving care for those living with the disease.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

Enrolment target

120

Start

23 Mar 2023

Estimated completion

07 Feb 2027

Thyroid Cancer

What is this study about?

This study is looking into different types of advanced thyroid cancer. While many people with thyroid cancer are successfully treated, for about 30% of them, the cancer can come back, sometimes many years later. When this happens, it can become more challenging to treat, and options might include complex surgeries or other treatments that don't always work for everyone. Currently, doctors often rely on scans and blood tests to monitor cancer, but these methods can take a while to show if treatments are working or if the cancer is growing.

Researchers believe that by understanding the genetic make-up of a person's cancer, they can offer more 'personalised' treatments – meaning treatment that is specifically designed for that individual. However, there are still many unanswered questions about how thyroid cancer changes and responds to treatment. This study hopes to answer some of these questions by looking for something called 'circulating tumour DNA' (ctDNA).

CtDNA are tiny pieces of cancer DNA that can be found in the blood. By studying these fragments, along with other information from tissue samples, the researchers hope to find new ways to detect early signs of cancer progression, see how well treatments are working in real-time, and understand why some cancers become more aggressive. This knowledge could lead to better ways to manage advanced thyroid cancer in the future, including differentiated, medullary, and anaplastic types.

Key takeaways

Researchers are studying advanced thyroid cancer to better understand its behaviour.
The study involves collecting blood and tissue samples during routine appointments, not extra visits.
They are looking for 'circulating tumour DNA' (ctDNA) to track cancer and treatment response.
The goal is to develop more personalised and effective treatments for advanced thyroid cancer.
Participation will not involve new medications, only sample collection.
You can withdraw at any time without affecting your medical care.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for adults who are 18 years or older and have certain types of advanced thyroid cancer. This includes those who have a type of thyroid cancer that has come back after radioiodine treatment (RR-DTC) and are being monitored, or those starting or already on systemic treatment for RR-DTC or medullary thyroid cancer.

The study also includes people with newly diagnosed medullary thyroid cancer, whether it's contained locally or has spread to other parts of the body, and those being monitored for it. We are also looking for individuals with a rare and aggressive type called anaplastic thyroid cancer that has been newly diagnosed.

To be part of the study, you must be able to provide a tissue sample from a previous biopsy or be willing to have a new biopsy if it's safe to do so. You also need to be willing to continue with your usual medical care and treatment as advised by your doctors and be able to give your informed consent to take part. Unfortunately, if you have another type of cancer (apart from very common skin cancers) within the last five years, or if you are pregnant, you won't be able to join the study.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years or older?
Have you been diagnosed with advanced differentiated, medullary, or anaplastic thyroid cancer?
Are you willing to provide blood and potentially tissue samples?
Are you happy to continue with your standard medical care as advised by your doctors?
Are you not pregnant?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you take part in this study, no new medications or treatments will be given. Your involvement will mainly be through providing blood and tissue samples. These samples will be collected during your routine clinic visits and procedures, so there will be no extra appointments solely for this study. The researchers will analyse these samples alongside your standard medical care. The total duration of your participation will depend on your individual treatment plan and how long your clinical team continues to monitor your condition, as this study will run alongside your existing care.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study will not directly benefit you personally, as it involves collecting samples for research rather than new treatments. However, the information gathered could greatly help other people with advanced thyroid cancer in the future by improving our understanding of the disease and how to treat it. The risks are minimal, limited to those associated with routine blood tests and biopsies, if you need one, which are standard procedures in your care. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
Verified postcode
London, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is ctDNA?

CtDNA stands for 'circulating tumour DNA.' It's tiny bits of DNA that come from cancer cells and can be found in your blood, which researchers can test for.

Does this study involve new treatments?

No, this study does not involve any new treatments or medications. It focuses on collecting samples to better understand advanced thyroid cancer.

Will I have extra hospital visits for this study?

No, your samples will be collected during your usual clinic appointments and procedures, so there won't be any extra visits just for the study.

Will I find out my personal results from this study?

The study aims to gather general knowledge about thyroid cancer. Specific individual results from the research analyses will not typically be shared with participants as they are for research purposes.

Can I leave the study once I've started?

Yes, you can choose to withdraw from the study at any time, and this will not affect the medical care you receive from your clinical team.

How to find out more

Leslie Cheng

leslie.cheng@rmh.nhs.uk 02000000000 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.