Observational Study on Thyroid Tumors and EvaLuation of the roLe of New pOntential Predictive/Prognostic Factors

INTRODUCTION AND RATIONALE OF THE STUDY

Thyroid tumors are the most common endocrine malignancies worldwide. Due to improved diagnostic techniques and increased adherence to screening procedures, incidence rates are rising [1]. In Italy, thyroid cancer is approximately three times more frequent in women (23.6 per 100,000 per year in 2003-2014) than in men (8.4 per 100,000 per year) [2]. Among the main histological types, approximately 90% are papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC), 4% are follicular thyroid carcinomas (FTC), 2% are Hürthle cell carcinomas, 2% are medullary thyroid carcinomas (MTC), and 1% are anaplastic thyroid carcinomas (ATC) [3].

MTCs are neuroendocrine tumors arising from calcitonin-producing C cells (parafollicular cells). Other rare thyroid tumors, with some exceptions (e.g., squamous carcinoma, lymphoma, mesenchymal tumors), originate from follicular cells. Well-differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) accounts for about 95% of thyroid malignancies, with 5% of these cases being familial. Most familial thyroid cancer cases are non-medullary (NMFTC) and occur within complex familial syndromes such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), Cowden syndrome, Carney complex, Pendred syndrome, and Werner syndrome [4]. Familial cases of PTC, FTC, and ATC are rare, accounting for only 5% of cases (mainly in PTC patients). Conversely, MTC is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait in 25% of cases, whereas 75% of MTC cases are sporadic, with somatic mutations in RET, followed by H-RAS and K-RAS [5].

Hereditary MTC associated with RET mutations falls under the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) syndrome, further classified into three subtypes based on clinical phenotype (MEN2A, MEN2B, and familial medullary thyroid carcinoma (FMTC)) [6]. Beyond germline mutations, the 2014 Cancer Genome Research Network identified driver somatic mutations in over 95% of PTCs [7,8], including BRAF mutations (especially BRAFV600), TERT promoter mutations (often coexisting), and RAS mutations. These mutations are also implicated in the early molecular events leading to poorly differentiated and anaplastic thyroid carcinomas, alongside TP53 mutations, which contribute to PTC progression [5].

The detection of these genomic alterations has significant prognostic [5,9] and therapeutic implications. Additionally, RET/PTC rearrangements are another hallmark molecular event, frequently observed in PTCs of patients exposed to radiation during childhood [10].

Several factors must be considered in the diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic landscape of differentiated thyroid carcinomas (DTCs) and medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). These include demographic (sex, age), clinical (symptomatology), laboratory (thyroglobulin levels), anatomopathological (tumor size, multifocality, extrathyroidal extension, lymphovascular invasion, presence of lymph node or distant metastases), and molecular factors [11,12].

Beyond previously discussed mutations, other molecular markers of potential prognostic interest include Pituitary Tumor Transforming Gene (PTTG), Ki-67%, and Galectin-3, which have been explored in preclinical studies, though real-world clinical correlation studies remain limited [13-17].

The protocol includes molecular and immunohistochemical analyses on tumor tissue samples, including archived paraffin-embedded specimens for a retrospective analysis and newly diagnosed cases with fresh paraffin samples. Additionally, the protocol incorporates previously collected molecular data, providing a comprehensive analysis of potential associations between molecular and histological features, clinical outcomes, and therapy response.

There remains a clear and unmet clinical need for novel prognostic and predictive biomarkers to better define thyroid cancer heterogeneity, improving classification and staging to guide prognosis and therapeutic decisions.

Thus, we have designed this study to collect and evaluate the clinical, laboratory, anatomopathological, and molecular characteristics of patients treated at the Medical Oncology Unit of the Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli (FPG) - IRCCS, both at diagnosis and during treatment, to investigate their prognostic and predictive value.

This objective aligns with FPG's recognition as an IRCCS for "Personalized Medicine" and as an Excellence Center recognized by the European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (ENETS), making the study feasible given the high volume of patients with neuroendocrine neoplasms managed at the Medical Oncology Unit.

2. STUDY OBJECTIVES 2.1 Primary Objective

To evaluate the association between molecular markers (PTTG, Ki-67%, and Galectin-3) and survival outcomes, to assess their prognostic role in thyroid cancer patients across all disease stages.

2.2 Secondary Objectives

To correlate survival probability and treatment response with clinical, laboratory, anatomopathological, and molecular characteristics, identifying prognostic and predictive factors in thyroid cancer patients.

To evaluate duration of response (DoR), progression-free survival (PFS), disease control rate (DCR), and treatment tolerability (adverse events, AEs) across all therapy lines.

3. PATIENTS AND METHODS 3.1 Study Design

This is an observational, monocentric, ambispective study. It is spontaneous, not sponsored by pharmaceutical companies, and does not involve experimental drugs, devices, or procedures. The study includes immunohistochemical evaluation of Galectin-3 and molecular analysis of PTTG, which are not part of routine clinical practice. No additional costs will be incurred by the National Health System (SSN).

3.2 Study Population

The study includes patients with thyroid neoplasms followed at the Medical Oncology Unit of FPG - IRCCS. The study consists of:

Retrospective Cohort: Includes patients diagnosed or treated for thyroid cancer at FPG - IRCCS from January 1, 2010, until study approval.

Prospective Cohort: Includes patients newly diagnosed or starting thyroid cancer treatment at FPG - IRCCS for 60 months post-study approval.

4. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Descriptive analyses will be conducted on clinical, laboratory, radiological, anatomopathological, and molecular characteristics. Comparative analyses will be performed using Chi-square tests for categorical variables and Student's t-tests for continuous variables.

Cox proportional hazard models will estimate the relationship between variables and time-dependent endpoints (OS, PFS, and DoR). Kaplan-Meier survival curves will be plotted, and comparisons made using log-rank tests. Treatment tolerability will be assessed based on adverse event incidence (AEs).

Sample Size Calculation

Given the global incidence of thyroid cancer, an estimated sample size of ≥100 patients is considered feasible based on FPG - IRCCS enrollment capabilities.

5. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

The study complies with:

Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines Declaration of Helsinki Italian regulations on observational studies

Patient data will be anonymized and securely stored, following strict confidentiality protocols. The study will be approved by the Ethics Committee (EC) of FPG - IRCCS.

6. STUDY TIMELINE

Retrospective Cohort Data Collection: Approval - December 2023 Prospective Cohort Enrollment: Approval - February 2029 Data Analysis: March - May 2029 Publication \& Presentation: June - September 2029

Estimated study duration: 60 months from Ethics Committee approval Projected completion date: September 2029