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| EMGARGOED FOR RELEASE Oct. 12, 2006, 9:00 a.m. PDT |
Contact: Jennifer Reising at jreising@reisingcommunications.com |
New Research Discovers Accurate Technique for Identifying Thyroid Cancer
(PHOENIX)— Scientists have discovered a new, highly accurate technique for identifying thyroid cancer earlier, according to a new study being presented on Thursday, Oct. 12, at the 77th Annual Meeting of the American Thyroid Association (ATA) in Phoenix. As with all cancers, early detection is critical in preventing cells to metastasize outside the thyroid in nearby lymph nodes, nerves, blood cells, or to other organs such as the lungs or bones.
“Our research aims to simplify diagnosis and follow-up care by identifying a reproducible biomarker that correlates directly with the presence or progression of thyroid cancer,” explains Andrew J. Martorella, MD, of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City and lead researcher of the study.
The American Cancer Society estimates that in the year 2006 about 30,180
new cases of thyroid cancer will be diagnosed in the United States. Even
more urgent is the annual 2 percent increase in diagnosis per year —
with nearly two-thirds of Americans diagnosed between the ages of 20 and
55.
Two hundred healthy volunteers and 60 patients with metastatic thyroid
cancer participated in the study. Dr. Martorella and his team used mass
spectroscopy — an analytical tool used to measure the mass of multiple
peptides present in the serum — and harvested a series of peptides
from the entire serum proteome by a technique called serum peptide profiling.
The peptide pattern, or fingerprint, identifies proteins that have been
cleaved into short peptides and then matches the protein’s identity
against a sequence database. The newly identified thyroid cancer specific
serum peptide profile (SPP) was able to correctly classify samples with
95 percent sensitivity and specificity.
“The results of the study are remarkable,” notes Dr. Martorella. “This serum peptide profile has the potential to serve as a molecular fingerprint that distinguishes metastatic thyroid cancer from normal healthy patients, allowing physicians the ability to diagnose thyroid cancer earlier.”
For more information on thyroid cancer, visit the ATA web site at www.thyroid.org.
The newest research in mechanisms, diagnosis, and clinical management of thyroid disease will be the focus of the ATA Annual Meeting, Oct. 11–15, 2006, at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa in Phoenix. The meeting will bring together thyroid experts from the United States and around the world.
The ATA is the North American professional society for physicians and
researchers specializing in diseases of the thyroid gland. The ATA promotes
excellence and innovation in clinical care, research, education, and public
advocacy.
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