Intermediate-to-High Risk Differentiated Thyroid CancerPhase 3DELTANCT07239674
Desiccated Thyroid Extract Combined With Levothyroxine for TSH Suppression Therapy in DTC
A Phase 3 study testing desiccated thyroid extract (DTE)+levothyroxine (L-T4) in people with Intermediate-to-High Risk Differentiated Thyroid Cancer, run by West China Hospital.
Trial summary
The global incidence of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer (DTC) is rising. While surgery followed by TSH suppression is the standard of care, achieving target TSH levels with levothyroxine (L-T4) monotherapy remains challenging, with only 25-70% of intermediate/high-risk patients attaining it within 6-8 months. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 70 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Intermediate-to-High Risk Differentiated Thyroid Cancer
- What is being tested?
- desiccated thyroid extract (DTE)+levothyroxine (L-T4)
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 646 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- 30 Nov 2025to 30 Jun 2028
- Phase
- Phase 3
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 70 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Stage 1 eligibility: (1) Age ≥ 18 years；(2) Histologically proven DTC after initial surgery (± ¹³¹I)；(3) ATA recurrence risk intermediate (low-intermediate or high-intermediate) or high；(4) On L-T4 monotherapy: TSH above target despite FT4 ≥ 90 % of normal upper limit；(5) Signed informed consent and agreement to follow-up. Stage 2 eligibility: (1) Age 18-70 years (inclusive)；(2) Histologically proven DTC undergoing first-time surgery；(3) ATA recurrence risk intermediate (low-intermediate or high-intermediate) or high；(4) Signed informed consent and agreement to post-operative follow-up.
Who cannot join
- (1) Non-DTC histology; (2) Hyperthyroidism, toxic adenoma, or toxic nodular goiter; (3) Malabsorptive GI disorders (e.g., H.-pylori gastritis, atrophic gastritis, celiac disease) or history of gastric bypass; (4) Hypersensitivity to levothyroxine or desiccated thyroid; (5) Angina, coronary artery disease, tachyarrhythmia, osteoporosis; (6) Concurrent malignancy; (7) Pregnant, lactating, or planning pregnancy within 12 months; (8) Severe COPD, hepatic or renal insufficiency, uncontrolled hypertension or diabetes, or any condition that could bias outcome assessment; (9) Chronic use of psychotropics, systemic glucocorticoids, amiodarone, chemotherapy, iron, thionamides, PPIs, or other drugs interfering with thyroid hormone; (10) Previous exposure to levothyroxine, desiccated thyroid, or T3 preparations; (11) Participation in another clinical trial that could interfere with this study.
Trial locations and contacts
No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Official title: Desiccated Thyroid Extract Combined With Levothyroxine for TSH Suppression Therapy in Intermediate-to-High Risk Differentiated Thyroid Cancer After Surgery: A National Multicenter, Open-Label, Randomized Controlled Trial
The global incidence of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer (DTC) is rising. While surgery followed by TSH suppression is the standard of care, achieving target TSH levels with levothyroxine (L-T4) monotherapy remains challenging, with only 25-70% of intermediate/high-risk patients attaining it within 6-8 months. This therapeutic dilemma stems from three key issues: impaired T4-to-T3 conversion due to DIO2 polymorphisms, the non-physiological hormone ratio of T4 monotherapy, and L-T4's narrow therapeutic window. This often results in an "under- versus over-suppression" paradox, increasing risks of recurrence, atrial fibrillation, and osteoporosis. Combining L-T4 with desiccated thyroid extract (DTE; T4:T3 ≈ 4:1) may overcome these limitations by bypassing DIO2 defects and providing a more physiological hormone profile, thereby potentially improving TSH control while mitigating side effects. Supported by the 2023 Chinese guidelines and our promising pilot data (82% cumulative target attainment at a median of 1.4 months), we propose a two-stage national study: a multicenter cohort study followed by a randomized trial, to generate high-level evidence for this combination therapy in high-risk DTC.
Read the detailed description
This study is a multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled trial. Stage 1 eligibility: (1) Age ≥ 18 years；(2) Histologically proven DTC after initial surgery (± ¹³¹I)；(3) ATA recurrence risk intermediate (low-intermediate or high-intermediate) or high；(4) On L-T4 monotherapy: TSH above target despite FT4 ≥ 90 % of normal upper limit；(5) Signed informed consent and agreement to follow-up. Stage 2 eligibility: (1) Age 18-70 years (inclusive)；(2) Histologically proven DTC undergoing first-time surgery；(3) ATA recurrence risk intermediate (low-intermediate or high-intermediate) or high；(4) Signed informed consent and agreement to post-operative follow-up. Exclusion criteria: (1) Non-DTC histology; (2) Hyperthyroidism, toxic adenoma, or toxic nodular goiter; (3) Malabsorptive GI disorders (e.g., H.-pylori gastritis, atrophic gastritis, celiac disease) or history of gastric bypass; (4) Hypersensitivity to levothyroxine or desiccated thyroid; (5) Angina, coronary artery disease, tachyarrhythmia, osteoporosis; (6) Concurrent malignancy; (7) Pregnant, lactating, or planning pregnancy within 12 months; (8) Severe COPD, hepatic or renal insufficiency, uncontrolled hypertension or diabetes, or any condition that could bias outcome assessment; (9) Chronic use of psychotropics, systemic glucocorticoids, amiodarone, chemotherapy, iron, thionamides, PPIs, or other drugs interfering with thyroid hormone; (10) Previous exposure to levothyroxine, desiccated thyroid, or T3 preparations; (11) Participation in another clinical trial that could interfere with this study.
Stage 1 prospectively enrolls patients who underwent initial DTC surgery at participating sites, were classified as intermediate or high recurrence risk, subsequently failed to achieve target TSH suppression on L-T4 monotherapy while having FT4 ≥ 90 % of the normal upper limit. The TSH-suppressive regimen is switched to DTE + L-T4, creating a before-and-after self-control study. Stage 2 screens patients scheduled for initial DTC surgery; eligible participants are randomized 1:1 to experimental arm (DTE + L-T4 combination) and control arm (L-T4). The stage 2 target sample size is 446 patients (223 per arm).
Data collection includes: (1) Baseline characteristics: sex, age, BMI, comorbidities (cardiovascular, endocrine, thyroid, etc.), prior neck irradiation; (2) Pre-operative imaging/labs: laryngoscopy, thyroid US, TSH, FT3, FT4, TT3, TT4; (3) Operative data: procedure type, date, extent of lymph-node dissection; (4) Symptom/QoL: ThyPRO-39 questionnaire; (5) hair-pull test for alopecia; (6) Genetics: DIO2 polymorphism; (6) Post-operative plan: initial TSH-suppression dose, first dosing date, RAI administration; (7) Pathology: histology, TNM stage, molecular results, ATA risk stratum. Follow-up at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 months post-op and 1 month after every dose adjustment: (1) Vital signs, weight, TSH-suppression details; (2) Imaging/labs: thyroid US, TSH, FT3, FT4, TT3, TT4, Tg, TgAb, calcium, 25-OH-VD; (3) Adverse events: cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, neurologic, GI, allergic reactions; (4) ThyPRO-39 and hair-pull test repeated at each visit.
- Being tested
- desiccated thyroid extract (DTE)+levothyroxine (L-T4)
- Keywords
- TSH Suppression Therapy, Desiccated Thyroid Extract, Differentiated Thyroid Cancer, Levothyroxine
- Medical subject headings
- Thyroid Diseases
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
desiccated thyroid extract (DTE)+levothyroxine (L-T4)Drug
Desiccated thyroid extract (DTE) is a dry preparation obtained from animal thyroid glands that contains both thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) in an approximately 4:1 ratio, closely matching the physiological hormone profile secreted by the human thyroid. Combining DTE with levothyroxine (L-T4) may overcome current therapeutic bottlenecks. First, L-T4 given in adequate doses provides the major T4-mediated TSH suppression, while the small amount of T3 supplied by DTE acts directly on pituitary thyrotrophs, bypassing impaired DIO2 conversion; this pharmacodynamic synergy yields tighter TSH control, steadier serum levels, and fewer thyrotoxic side-effects. Second, because thyroid-hormone receptor isoforms are differentially expressed across tissues and display distinct T4/T3 affinities, the combination allows finer tuning of thyroid hormone signaling-maintaining adequate tumor suppression while attenuating adverse cardiac and skeletal effects.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Experimantal Group | Experimental | Combination therapy with desiccated thyroid extract and levothyroxine (DTE + L-T4) as the TSH-suppressive regimen. Receives: Drug: desiccated thyroid extract (DTE)+levothyroxine (L-T4) |
| Control group | No intervention | Levothyroxine (L-T4) monotherapy as the TSH-suppressive regimen. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Rate of adequate TSH suppression
Rate of adequate TSH suppression defined as TSH level reaching the preset suppression target. TSH suppression targets follow the 2023 Chinese Guidelines for Thyroid Nodules and Differentiated Thyroid Cancer (2nd edition): during the initial treatment phase (within 1 year after surgery ± ¹³¹I therapy), serum TSH should be < 0.1 mU/L for high-risk patients and 0.1-0.5 mU/L for intermediate-risk patients.
Measured: 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 months postoperative and 1 month after every dose adjustment
Time to TSH suppression target
Median number of days from treatment initiation to the first measurement meeting TSH suppression criteria.
Measured: 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 months postoperative and 1 month after every dose adjustment
Secondary outcomes (5)
Thyroid function test
Thyroid function parameters (TSH, FT3, FT4, TT3, TT4) are measured at every follow-up visit to evaluate the physiological stability of hormone replacement.
Measured: Preoperative, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 months postoperative and 1 month after every dose adjustment
Symptoms and quality of life related to thyroid dysfunction
THyPRO-39
Measured: Preoperative, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 months postoperative and 1 month after every dose adjustment
Assessment of hair-loss severity
Hair-pull test.
Measured: Preoperative, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 months postoperative and 1 month after every dose adjustment
Adverse events (AEs)
Adverse events (AEs) refer to any unfavorable medical occurrences that develop during the clinical trial, regardless of whether they are related to the investigational medication. They include:
Thyroid-hormone-excess-related AEs
- Cardiovascular system: tachycardia, angina, cardiac insufficiency, atrial fibrillation and other arrhythmias.
- Musculoskeletal system: osteoporosis, fractures, bone pain. Hypersensitivity/allergic reactions
Measured: 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 months postoperative and 1 month after every dose adjustment
DIO2 polymorphism analysis
Genomic DNA is extracted from pre-operative blood. The region containing the target SNP is amplified by PCR, digested with a restriction endonuclease, and genotypes are assigned after electrophoresis based on fragment sizes. The data will be used to explore the relationship between DIO2 genotype, TSH-suppression efficacy, and the FT3/FT4 ratio, providing a molecular basis for individualized therapy.
Measured: Preoperative
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted20 Nov 2025
- Study start30 Nov 2025 (estimated)
- Primary completion30 Nov 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Jun 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (10)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Intermediate-to-High Risk Differentiated Thyroid CancerStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by West China HospitalThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 3
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 646 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- West China Hospital
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- West China Tianfu Hospital, Shang Jin Hospital of West China Hospital,Sichuan University, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Xijing Hospital of Airforce Medical University, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, The Affiliated Hospital Of Guizhou Medical University, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Lanzhou University, Qinghai Province Fifth People's Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Zhongnan Hospital
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Yu Feng, West China Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07239674
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2025(1862)
- Acronym
- DELTA
- Status last verified
- Nov 2025
- First submitted
- 16 Nov 2025
- Last updated
- 20 Nov 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Publications
Turner, H.L., van Etten, J., Firth, D. et al. Modelling rankings in R: the PlackettLuce package. Computational Statistics.2020; 35(3): 1027-1057.
Fussey JM, Khan H, Ahsan F, Prashant R, Pettit L. Thyroid-stimulating hormone suppression therapy for differentiated thyroid cancer: The role for a combined T3/T4 approach. Head Neck. 2017 Dec;39(12):2567-2572. doi: 10.1002/hed.24926. Epub 2017 Sep 27.
PubMed 28960722Hao D, Tian L, He H, Zhu C, Guo L, Zhang K, Zhang J. Efficacy and safety of postoperative levothyroxine sodium tablets for improving serum thyroid hormone levels and tumor marker levels in patients with thyroid tumors. Eur J Transl Myol. 2023 Sep 5;33(3):11582. doi: 10.4081/ejtm.2023.11582.
PubMed 37668013Wang Z, Angell TE, Sun W, Qin Y, He L, Dong W, Zhang D, Zhang T, Shao L, Lv C, Zhang P, Guan H, Zhang H. Analysis of the strategy of LT4 prescribing and TSH monitoring for thyroid carcinoma after lobectomy. Ann Transl Med. 2020 Oct;8(19):1238. doi: 10.21037/atm-20-4890.
PubMed 33178770Chen W, Li J, Peng S, Hong S, Xu H, Lin B, Liang X, Liu Y, Liang J, Zhang Z, Ye Y, Liu F, Lin C, Xiao H, Lv W. Association of Total Thyroidectomy or Thyroid Lobectomy With the Quality of Life in Patients With Differentiated Thyroid Cancer With Low to Intermediate Risk of Recurrence. JAMA Surg. 2022 Mar 1;157(3):200-209. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2021.6442.
PubMed 34935859Ming J, Zhu JQ, Zhang H, Sun H, Wang J, Cheng RC, Xie L, Li XR, Tian W, Huang T. A multicenter, prospective study to observe the initial management of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer in China (DTCC study). BMC Endocr Disord. 2021 Oct 21;21(1):208. doi: 10.1186/s12902-021-00871-x.
PubMed 34670546Yavuz DG, Yazan CD, Hekimsoy Z, Aydin K, Gokkaya N, Ersoy C, Akalin A, Topaloglu O, Aydogan BI, Dilekci ENA, Alphan Uc Z, Cansu GB, Ozsari L, Iyidir OT, Olgun ME, Keskin L, Mert M, Can B, Gungor K, Galip T, Canturk Z, Elbuken G, Pekkolay Z, Kutbay NO, Yorulmaz G, Kalkan AT, Unsal YA, Yay A, Karagun B, Bozkur E. Assesment of attainment of recommended TSH levels and levothyroxine compliance in differentiated thyroid cancer patients. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2022 Dec;97(6):833-840. doi: 10.1111/cen.14787. Epub 2022 Jun 12.
PubMed 35639050Ku EJ, Yoo WS, Lee EK, Ahn HY, Woo SH, Hong JH, Chung HK, Park JW. Effect of TSH Suppression Therapy on Bone Mineral Density in Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2021 Nov 19;106(12):3655-3667. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgab539.
PubMed 34302730Ringel MD, Sosa JA, Baloch Z, Bischoff L, Bloom G, Brent GA, Brock PL, Chou R, Flavell RR, Goldner W, Grubbs EG, Haymart M, Larson SM, Leung AM, Osborne JR, Ridge JA, Robinson B, Steward DL, Tufano RP, Wirth LJ. 2025 American Thyroid Association Management Guidelines for Adult Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer. Thyroid. 2025 Aug;35(8):841-985. doi: 10.1177/10507256251363120.
PubMed 40844370Miranda-Filho A, Lortet-Tieulent J, Bray F, Cao B, Franceschi S, Vaccarella S, Dal Maso L. Thyroid cancer incidence trends by histology in 25 countries: a population-based study. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2021 Apr;9(4):225-234. doi: 10.1016/S2213-8587(21)00027-9. Epub 2021 Mar 1.
PubMed 33662333
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 20 Nov 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Desiccated Thyroid Extract Combined With Levothyroxine for TSH Suppression Therapy in Intermediate-to-High Risk Differentiated Thyroid Cancer After Surgery: A National Multicenter, Open-Label, Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07239674
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- DELTA / 2025(1862)
- Keywords
- TSH Suppression Therapy, Desiccated Thyroid Extract, Differentiated Thyroid Cancer, Levothyroxine
- Phase
- Phase 3
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 646 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- West China HospitalUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- West China Tianfu Hospital, Shang Jin Hospital of West China Hospital,Sichuan University, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Xijing Hospital of Airforce Medical University, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, The Affiliated Hospital Of Guizhou Medical University, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Lanzhou University, Qinghai Province Fifth People's Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Zhongnan Hospital
- Study start
- 30 Nov 2025 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 30 Nov 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Jun 2028 (estimated)
- First posted
- 20 Nov 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The global incidence of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer (DTC) is rising. While surgery followed by TSH suppression is the standard of care, achieving target TSH levels with levothyroxine (L-T4) monotherapy remains challenging, with only 25-70% of intermediate/high-risk patients attaining it within 6-8 months. This therapeutic dilemma stems from three key issues: impaired T4-to-T3 conversion due to DIO2 polymorphisms, the non-physiological hormone ratio of T4 monotherapy, and L-T4's narrow therapeutic window. This often results in an "under- versus over-suppression" paradox, increasing risks of recurrence, atrial fibrillation, and osteoporosis. Combining L-T4 with desiccated thyroid extract (DTE; T4:T3 ≈ 4:1) may overcome these limitations by bypassing DIO2 defects and providing a more physiological hormone profile, thereby potentially improving TSH control while mitigating side effects. Supported by the 2023 Chinese guidelines and our promising pilot data (82% cumulative target attainment at a median of 1.4 months), we propose a two-stage national study: a multicenter cohort study followed by a randomized trial, to generate high-level evidence for this combination therapy in high-risk DTC.
Detailed description
This study is a multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled trial. Stage 1 eligibility: (1) Age ≥ 18 years；(2) Histologically proven DTC after initial surgery (± ¹³¹I)；(3) ATA recurrence risk intermediate (low-intermediate or high-intermediate) or high；(4) On L-T4 monotherapy: TSH above target despite FT4 ≥ 90 % of normal upper limit；(5) Signed informed consent and agreement to follow-up. Stage 2 eligibility: (1) Age 18-70 years (inclusive)；(2) Histologically proven DTC undergoing first-time surgery；(3) ATA recurrence risk intermediate (low-intermediate or high-intermediate) or high；(4) Signed informed consent and agreement to post-operative follow-up. Exclusion criteria: (1) Non-DTC histology; (2) Hyperthyroidism, toxic adenoma, or toxic nodular goiter; (3) Malabsorptive GI disorders (e.g., H.-pylori gastritis, atrophic gastritis, celiac disease) or history of gastric bypass; (4) Hypersensitivity to levothyroxine or desiccated thyroid; (5) Angina, coronary artery disease, tachyarrhythmia, osteoporosis; (6) Concurrent malignancy; (7) Pregnant, lactating, or planning pregnancy within 12 months; (8) Severe COPD, hepatic or renal insufficiency, uncontrolled hypertension or diabetes, or any condition that could bias outcome assessment; (9) Chronic use of psychotropics, systemic glucocorticoids, amiodarone, chemotherapy, iron, thionamides, PPIs, or other drugs interfering with thyroid hormone; (10) Previous exposure to levothyroxine, desiccated thyroid, or T3 preparations; (11) Participation in another clinical trial that could interfere with this study.
Stage 1 prospectively enrolls patients who underwent initial DTC surgery at participating sites, were classified as intermediate or high recurrence risk, subsequently failed to achieve target TSH suppression on L-T4 monotherapy while having FT4 ≥ 90 % of the normal upper limit. The TSH-suppressive regimen is switched to DTE + L-T4, creating a before-and-after self-control study. Stage 2 screens patients scheduled for initial DTC surgery; eligible participants are randomized 1:1 to experimental arm (DTE + L-T4 combination) and control arm (L-T4). The stage 2 target sample size is 446 patients (223 per arm).
Data collection includes: (1) Baseline characteristics: sex, age, BMI, comorbidities (cardiovascular, endocrine, thyroid, etc.), prior neck irradiation; (2) Pre-operative imaging/labs: laryngoscopy, thyroid US, TSH, FT3, FT4, TT3, TT4; (3) Operative data: procedure type, date, extent of lymph-node dissection; (4) Symptom/QoL: ThyPRO-39 questionnaire; (5) hair-pull test for alopecia; (6) Genetics: DIO2 polymorphism; (6) Post-operative plan: initial TSH-suppression dose, first dosing date, RAI administration; (7) Pathology: histology, TNM stage, molecular results, ATA risk stratum. Follow-up at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 months post-op and 1 month after every dose adjustment: (1) Vital signs, weight, TSH-suppression details; (2) Imaging/labs: thyroid US, TSH, FT3, FT4, TT3, TT4, Tg, TgAb, calcium, 25-OH-VD; (3) Adverse events: cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, neurologic, GI, allergic reactions; (4) ThyPRO-39 and hair-pull test repeated at each visit.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Experimantal Group | Experimental | Drug: desiccated thyroid extract (DTE)+levothyroxine (L-T4)Combination therapy with desiccated thyroid extract and levothyroxine (DTE + L-T4) as the TSH-suppressive regimen. |
| Control group | No intervention | –Levothyroxine (L-T4) monotherapy as the TSH-suppressive regimen. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 70 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Stage 1 eligibility: (1) Age ≥ 18 years；(2) Histologically proven DTC after initial surgery (± ¹³¹I)；(3) ATA recurrence risk intermediate (low-intermediate or high-intermediate) or high；(4) On L-T4 monotherapy: TSH above target despite FT4 ≥ 90 % of normal upper limit；(5) Signed informed consent and agreement to follow-up. Stage 2 eligibility: (1) Age 18-70 years (inclusive)；(2) Histologically proven DTC undergoing first-time surgery；(3) ATA recurrence risk intermediate (low-intermediate or high-intermediate) or high；(4) Signed informed consent and agreement to post-operative follow-up.
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- (1) Non-DTC histology; (2) Hyperthyroidism, toxic adenoma, or toxic nodular goiter; (3) Malabsorptive GI disorders (e.g., H.-pylori gastritis, atrophic gastritis, celiac disease) or history of gastric bypass; (4) Hypersensitivity to levothyroxine or desiccated thyroid; (5) Angina, coronary artery disease, tachyarrhythmia, osteoporosis; (6) Concurrent malignancy; (7) Pregnant, lactating, or planning pregnancy within 12 months; (8) Severe COPD, hepatic or renal insufficiency, uncontrolled hypertension or diabetes, or any condition that could bias outcome assessment; (9) Chronic use of psychotropics, systemic glucocorticoids, amiodarone, chemotherapy, iron, thionamides, PPIs, or other drugs interfering with thyroid hormone; (10) Previous exposure to levothyroxine, desiccated thyroid, or T3 preparations; (11) Participation in another clinical trial that could interfere with this study.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| desiccated thyroid extract (DTE)+levothyroxine (L-T4)Desiccated thyroid extract (DTE) is a dry preparation obtained from animal thyroid glands that contains both thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) in an approximately 4:1 ratio, closely matching the physiological hormone profile secreted by the human thyroid. Combining DTE with levothyroxine (L-T4) may overcome current therapeutic bottlenecks. First, L-T4 given in adequate doses provides the major T4-mediated TSH suppression, while the small amount of T3 supplied by DTE acts directly on pituitary thyrotrophs, bypassing impaired DIO2 conversion; this pharmacodynamic synergy yields tighter TSH control, steadier serum levels, and fewer thyrotoxic side-effects. Second, because thyroid-hormone receptor isoforms are differentially expressed across tissues and display distinct T4/T3 affinities, the combination allows finer tuning of thyroid hormone signaling-maintaining adequate tumor suppression while attenuating adverse cardiac and skeletal effects. | Drug | Experimantal Group |
Primary outcome
Rate of adequate TSH suppression
Time frame: 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 months postoperative and 1 month after every dose adjustment
Rate of adequate TSH suppression defined as TSH level reaching the preset suppression target. TSH suppression targets follow the 2023 Chinese Guidelines for Thyroid Nodules and Differentiated Thyroid Cancer (2nd edition): during the initial treatment phase (within 1 year after surgery ± ¹³¹I therapy), serum TSH should be < 0.1 mU/L for high-risk patients and 0.1-0.5 mU/L for intermediate-risk patients.
Time to TSH suppression target
Time frame: 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 months postoperative and 1 month after every dose adjustment
Median number of days from treatment initiation to the first measurement meeting TSH suppression criteria.
5 secondary outcomes
Thyroid function test
Time frame: Preoperative, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 months postoperative and 1 month after every dose adjustment
Symptoms and quality of life related to thyroid dysfunction
Time frame: Preoperative, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 months postoperative and 1 month after every dose adjustment
Assessment of hair-loss severity
Time frame: Preoperative, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 months postoperative and 1 month after every dose adjustment
Adverse events (AEs)
Time frame: 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 months postoperative and 1 month after every dose adjustment
DIO2 polymorphism analysis
Time frame: Preoperative
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 20 Nov 2025.
- Results publicationTurner, H.L., van Etten, J., Firth, D. et al. Modelling rankings in R: the PlackettLuce package. Computational Statistics.2020; 35(3): 1027-1057.
- Results publication: PubMed 28960722Fussey JM, Khan H, Ahsan F, Prashant R, Pettit L. Thyroid-stimulating hormone suppression therapy for differentiated thyroid cancer: The role for a combined T3/T4 approach. Head Neck. 2017 Dec;39(12):2567-2572. doi: 10.1002/hed.24926. Epub 2017 Sep 27.
- Results publication: PubMed 37668013Hao D, Tian L, He H, Zhu C, Guo L, Zhang K, Zhang J. Efficacy and safety of postoperative levothyroxine sodium tablets for improving serum thyroid hormone levels and tumor marker levels in patients with thyroid tumors. Eur J Transl Myol. 2023 Sep 5;33(3):11582. doi: 10.4081/ejtm.2023.11582.
- Results publication: PubMed 33178770Wang Z, Angell TE, Sun W, Qin Y, He L, Dong W, Zhang D, Zhang T, Shao L, Lv C, Zhang P, Guan H, Zhang H. Analysis of the strategy of LT4 prescribing and TSH monitoring for thyroid carcinoma after lobectomy. Ann Transl Med. 2020 Oct;8(19):1238. doi: 10.21037/atm-20-4890.
- Results publication: PubMed 34935859Chen W, Li J, Peng S, Hong S, Xu H, Lin B, Liang X, Liu Y, Liang J, Zhang Z, Ye Y, Liu F, Lin C, Xiao H, Lv W. Association of Total Thyroidectomy or Thyroid Lobectomy With the Quality of Life in Patients With Differentiated Thyroid Cancer With Low to Intermediate Risk of Recurrence. JAMA Surg. 2022 Mar 1;157(3):200-209. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2021.6442.
- Results publication: PubMed 34670546Ming J, Zhu JQ, Zhang H, Sun H, Wang J, Cheng RC, Xie L, Li XR, Tian W, Huang T. A multicenter, prospective study to observe the initial management of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer in China (DTCC study). BMC Endocr Disord. 2021 Oct 21;21(1):208. doi: 10.1186/s12902-021-00871-x.
- Results publication: PubMed 35639050Yavuz DG, Yazan CD, Hekimsoy Z, Aydin K, Gokkaya N, Ersoy C, Akalin A, Topaloglu O, Aydogan BI, Dilekci ENA, Alphan Uc Z, Cansu GB, Ozsari L, Iyidir OT, Olgun ME, Keskin L, Mert M, Can B, Gungor K, Galip T, Canturk Z, Elbuken G, Pekkolay Z, Kutbay NO, Yorulmaz G, Kalkan AT, Unsal YA, Yay A, Karagun B, Bozkur E. Assesment of attainment of recommended TSH levels and levothyroxine compliance in differentiated thyroid cancer patients. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2022 Dec;97(6):833-840. doi: 10.1111/cen.14787. Epub 2022 Jun 12.
- Results publication: PubMed 34302730Ku EJ, Yoo WS, Lee EK, Ahn HY, Woo SH, Hong JH, Chung HK, Park JW. Effect of TSH Suppression Therapy on Bone Mineral Density in Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2021 Nov 19;106(12):3655-3667. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgab539.
- Results publication: PubMed 40844370Ringel MD, Sosa JA, Baloch Z, Bischoff L, Bloom G, Brent GA, Brock PL, Chou R, Flavell RR, Goldner W, Grubbs EG, Haymart M, Larson SM, Leung AM, Osborne JR, Ridge JA, Robinson B, Steward DL, Tufano RP, Wirth LJ. 2025 American Thyroid Association Management Guidelines for Adult Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer. Thyroid. 2025 Aug;35(8):841-985. doi: 10.1177/10507256251363120.
- Results publication: PubMed 33662333Miranda-Filho A, Lortet-Tieulent J, Bray F, Cao B, Franceschi S, Vaccarella S, Dal Maso L. Thyroid cancer incidence trends by histology in 25 countries: a population-based study. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2021 Apr;9(4):225-234. doi: 10.1016/S2213-8587(21)00027-9. Epub 2021 Mar 1.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 3 study testing desiccated thyroid extract (DTE)+levothyroxine (L-T4) in people with Intermediate-to-High Risk Differentiated Thyroid Cancer, run by West China Hospital.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 20 Nov 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
What does this phase mean?
Phase 3 studies compare the treatment with the current standard treatment or a placebo in a large group, to confirm how well it works and watch for side effects.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact ZhiHui Li (+86 18980602027, rockoliver@vip.sina.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Rate of adequate TSH suppression (time frame: 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 months postoperative and 1 month after every dose adjustment). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07239674, which also lists 10 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 20 Nov 2025.