Clinical Research Directory

CTR-FAPI-guided Precision Surgery for Newly Diagnosed MTC

This is a multicenter, randomized, open-label, non-inferiority Phase III clinical trial, aims to compare 68Ga-CTR-FAPI PET-CT-guided surgery to investigator-chosen surgical approaches to evaluate its efficacy in treating newly diagnosed medullary thyroid carcinoma. This study plans to enroll 150 newly diagnosed MTC patients, who will be randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to the experimental group (surgery based on 68Ga-CTR-FAPI PET-CT findings) and the control group (surgery based on the investigator's choice). The primary endpoint is the biochemical cure rate, with secondary endpoints including the biochemical cure rate in the R0 resection subgroup, the unnecessary dissection rate in the biochemical-cured subgroup, 3-year recurrence-free survival, the rate of change in surgical extent, and diagnostic accuracy.

Research on the Application of 68Ga-DOTA-CCK-FS PET/CT in MTC

This study explores the clinical application of 68Ga-DOTA-CCK-FS PET/CT in detecting cholecystokinin-2 receptor (CCK-2R)-positive tumors, particularly medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) and other malignancies. Led by Prof. Luo Yaping (PUMCH Nuclear Medicine) and Prof. Liu Zhibo (Peking University, radiochemistry expert), the trial will enroll 30-40 patients to compare 68Ga-DOTA-CCK-FS imaging with standard PET/CT (e.g., 18F-FDG or 68Ga-DOTATATE). The novel tracer shows higher tumor uptake and retention in preclinical studies, potentially improving diagnosis and treatment guidance for aggressive, CCK-2R-expressing cancers. The study leverages PUMCH's Class IV Radioactive Drug License for advanced radiopharmaceutical development. Risks are minimal (diagnostic radiation dose only), and participants receive free imaging assessments. Results aim to refine precision diagnostics for MTC and related tumors.

PET-TC in Thyroid Evaluation

The thyroid gland may have a diffuse or focal uptake of numerous PET/CT radiopharmaceuticals and this may be correlated with underlying benign and malignant thyroid/parathyroid pathologies. It is not clear at present if the uptake of the radiopharmaceutical alone is associated with a potential malignancy of the disease. The aim of the study is to collect evidence and consolidate the diagnostic power of PET/CT, to identify any predictive parameters that can determine whether PET positivity/negativity can in the future avoid unnecessary tests such as needle aspiration.

Spanish Study for Molecular Characterization of Thyroid Carcinoma

This project is a retrospective observational study based on the molecular characterization of a Spanish population of patients with refractory radio-iodine differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) and medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) with advanced and / or metastatic disease undergoing systemic treatment, or under clinical observation. Three diagnostic techniques will be performed on formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tumor samples from the study population: immunohistochemistry (IHC), fluorescence by in situ hybridization (FISH) as well as Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) techniques by means of DNA and RNA analysis (Ion Platform Torrent - Oncomine Focus Assay, 52 gene detection). The results of each patient will be compared in order to correlate the results of each method.

Head-to-head Study of 68Ga-MGS5 Versus 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT in Patients With Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma

Cholecystokinin-2 (CCK2) receptor is overexpressed in more than 90% of MTC cases, and preclinical studies have shown that 68Ga-MGS5 (targeting CCK2) has good stability in vivo and is promising for diagnosis and staging of MTC. This prospective study will compare the diagnostic effects of 68Ga-MGS5 and 68Ga-DOTATATE on MTC primary foci, lymph node metastasis, and distant metastasis, and explore the effect of 68Ga-MGS5 PET/CT on the clinical staging (TNM staging) of MTC.

Trial of Lu-177 DOTATATE (Lutathera®) in Unlicensed Indications

This study is a phase 2, open, single-site trial. The primary objective of this study is to prospectively evaluate the safety and efficacy in participants treated with Lu-177 DOTATATE (Lutathera) in unresectable or metastatic, somatostatin receptor-expressing neuroendocrine tumours (NET) in currently unlicensed indications (eg, bronchial and thymic NET; paraganglioma/phaeochromocytoma; medullary thyroid carcinoma; and those requiring repeat peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) with 2 further cycles of Lutathera). The aim is to recruit a total of 75-110 participants. Each patient will receive 4 cycles of Lutathera with 8-12 weeks time interval (except patients requiring repeat PRRT will receive 2 further cycles of Lutathera). The follow-up period will be for 2 years from the date of the last treatment.

An Active Surveillance Program for Cases of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma (MTC)

This study is conducted in the United States of America (USA). The aim of the study is to monitor the number of annual new adult cases of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and to establish a registry for these new cases in order to identify any possible increase related to the introduction of liraglutide, exenatide once-weekly, and other GLP-1 receptor agonists into the US market.