Why is this research important to Alberta?

Alberta is seeing a steady rise in thyroid cancer diagnoses, yet doctors often lack reliable tools to predict which tumors will behave aggressively. As a result, many patients undergo more surgery or treatment than necessary, increasing healthcare costs and affecting long-term quality of life. This project will:

• Evaluate a genomic test developed in Alberta that helps doctors better understand a tumor’s biology and tailor treatment accordingly.
• Support more personalized care, aligning with Alberta’s priorities in precision medicine and health system sustainability.
• Support growing the province’s leadership in genomics innovation.

What is the goal of this work? How will genomics be used?

The goal of this project is to determine whether Thyroid GuidePx®, a genomic test developed in Alberta, can help doctors make better treatment decisions for patients with thyroid cancer.

To achieve this, the project will:

• Analyze patterns of gene activity in a patient’s tumor to determine whether the cancer is likely to behave aggressively or remain slow growing.
• Help guide decisions about the extent of surgery, the need for radioactive iodine therapy, and the intensity of follow-up care.
• Conduct clinical trials at the University of Calgary and the University of Alberta, in partnership with Qualisure Diagnostics, the Alberta-based company commercializing the test.
• Use advanced computational methods and machine learning to identify the gene expression patterns underlying the test.

By evaluating how the test influences real clinical decisions, the project aims to demonstrate the practical value of genomics in improving cancer care.

What are the expected benefits, and how will the research findings be shared?

This research will determine whether genomic testing can reduce overtreatment in thyroid cancer by guiding more personalized surgical and treatment decisions.

Expected benefits include:

• Fewer unnecessary surgeries for patients.
• Reduced exposure to radioactive iodine.
• Improved long-term quality of life.
• Better decision-making could lower healthcare costs associated with repeat surgeries, complications, and lifelong treatment.
• Economically, advancing commercialization of an Alberta-developed genomic diagnostic through Qualisure Diagnostics.
• Strengthening the province’s leadership in precision oncology.

Results will be shared through peer-reviewed publications, clinical conferences, and engagement with healthcare leaders to support adoption in Alberta and across Canada.

Related Resources

Related information can be accessed through:

• Industry partner website: https://qualisuredx.com/
• Research publication: Prognostic Biomarkers for Papillary Thyroid Cancer: Reducing Overtreatment, Improving Clinical Efficiency, and Enhancing Patient Experience
• Media article: Rethinking papillary thyroid cancer: Why “low risk” isn’t always low impact
• Scientific article: Personalised genetic insights: A revolution in papillary thyroid cancer
• Webinar feature: MOLECULAR TESTING for Papillary Thyroid Cancer: Dr. Oliver Bathe – #78