Laboratory of Kathryn Spanknabel, MD
Principal Investigator
Kathryn Spanknabel, MD
Collaborating Investigators
Alain Borczuk MD, Pathology
Adel Assaad MD, Pathology
Background for Research focus:
The preoperative diagnosis of thyroid nodules is not always possible and many patients still undergo unnecessary surgery for benign conditions. Gene expression analysis may allow for a more accurate diagnosis thus abrogating the need for surgical intervention. In addition, prognostic information may be gleaned thus leading to better surgical care.
Main Focus of the Laboratory:
Our aim is to develop accurate gene expression profiles for thyroid tumors that will provide insight into thyroid tumor biology. In addition, we plan to use excess material from Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) biopsies of thyroid nodules to generate gene expression data that will refine the preoperative diagnosis.
Current Projects:
- Development of gene expression profiles of thyroid tumors
- Evaluation of the clinicopathologic features of follicular thyroid neoplasms with added emphasis on tumors with oncocytic (Hurthle) morphology
Recent Publications:
Borczuk AC, Gorenstein L, Walter KL, Assaad AA, Wang L, Powell CA. Non-small-cell lung cancer molecular signatures recapitulate lung developmental pathways. Am J Pathol. 2003 Nov;163(5):1949-60.
Walter KL, Borczuk AC, Wang LQ, Assaad AM, Austin JH, Pearson GD, Shiau MC, Powell CA. Class prediction of lung nodule gene expression profiles. Chest. 2004 May;125(5 Suppl):104S.
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