JAMA Oncol: Both advanced molecular thyroid tests can reduce the need for diagnostic surgery

A new study compares the performance characteristics of RNA testing and DNA RNA testing to predict the risk of malignancy for approximately 20% of thyroid nodules that show uncertain fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology results.

The author of the study, Dr.

Patients in this randomized clinical trial came from the University of California, Los Angeles Health System and underwent thyroid FNA biopsy from August 1, 2017 to November 30, 2019.

FNA biopsy is performed by radiologists, endocrinologists and endocrinologists at 9 clinical sites.

The molecular test results (classified as benign or suspected malignant tumors) were compared with the diagnosis results of the corresponding surgical specimens of the thyroid pathologist.

The expected positive predictive value curve of the first and second generation RNA molecular testing and DNA-RNA molecular testing based on the observed specificity and sensitivity, including cancer or non-invasive follicular thyroid tumors with papillary features (NIFTP) possible prevalence range.

DNA-RNA testing showed 103 nodules (60.

In the analysis, including comparison with surgical or clinical monitoring results, RNA detection and DNA RNA detection were similar in sensitivity (100.

The direct comparison between this RNA test and DNA-RNA test shows that the sensitivity and specificity are not statistically significant in the diagnosis of cytologically uncertain malignant tumors of thyroid nodules.

Although the two most commonly used molecular detection methods for thyroid nodules are the RNA-based Afirma test and the DNA and RNA-based ThyroSeq v3 test , it is not clear which test is better.

Original source

com/journals/jamaoncology/article-abstract/2773499" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Livhits MJ, Zhu CY, Kuo EJ, et al.