What the trial was testing
The trial enrolled 114 patients with thyroid cancer. The study was sponsored by University of Michigan and tracked outcomes across the full group of patients who matched the trial's eligibility profile.
Researchers followed patients through treatment and into recovery, tracking the outcomes that mattered most for the disease being studied.
What the results showed
The light tool helped surgeons find 3.3 parathyroid glands on average compared to 2.8 with standard surgery.
JAMA surgery · 2025 · NCT05022667
These findings — that light technology helped surgeons identify more parathyroid glands during thyroid removal — were published in the JAMA surgery and represent the headline result of the study.
Researchers tracked outcomes across 114 patients enrolled in the trial. The result was consistent enough across the group that the team felt confident reporting it.
What this means for patients
For patients with thyroid cancer, this result changes the calculus on what to ask their care team about. Whether it changes day-to-day care depends on factors like disease subtype, prior treatments, and where the patient is in their care journey.
What you can do now
This was a large-scale test of a surgical tool still being studied. The technology isn't yet standard practice. If you're having thyroid surgery, ask your surgeon about their experience protecting your parathyroid glands and what methods they use to identify them during the procedure.
Eligibility for the treatments mentioned above depends on specific test results and clinical history. Bring this summary, the trial name, and your most recent labs or pathology report to your next visit.
Open thyroid cancer trials
Phase II Trial of Tunlametinib in NRAS-Mutant Advanced Thyroid Cancer
This phase II trial evaluates Tunlametinib (MEK inhibitor) ± PD-1 in NRAS-mutant advanced thyroid cancer. Key Objectives: Assess efficacy (ORR by RECIST v1.1) Evaluate safety profiles Study Design: Single-arm, single-center 4 cohorts based on: * Histology (differentiated vs. poorly/undifferentiated) * Prior therapy status Treatment: * Cohorts 1-2: Tunlametinib monotherapy (12mg BID) * Cohorts 3-4: Tunlametinib + PD-1 (commercially available) Key Procedures: Screening: NRAS testing + full staging (CT/MRI/PET) Monitoring: q3-week labs, q9-week imaging Follow-up: 30-day safety visit + q3-month survival tracking Endpoints: Primary: ORR Secondary: Safety (CTCAE), PFS, DoR Unique Aspects: First study targeting NRAS in thyroid cancer with MEK+PD-1 Includes rare aggressive subtypes (poorly/undifferentiated)
Agnostic Therapy in Rare Solid Tumors
The ANTARES study is a phase II basket trial designed to evaluate the tissue-agnostic efficacy of the monoclonal anti-PD1 antibody, nivolumab, in patients with advanced or metastatic rare tumors. The study aims to treat rare malignancies with PD-L1 expression (CPS ≥ 10), regardless of the tumor's tissue type or location. Patients who have not responded to standard treatments will be included, and treatment will last for up to 12 months. The study will assess objective response, progression-free survival, and biomarkers such as PD-L1, ctDNA, and microvesicles, in a multicenter collaborative effort to provide innovative therapeutic options for this underrepresented population