Andrew Bauer Research Program

Led by Andrew J. Bauer researchers in the Bauer Research Program are focused on refining and improving the effectiveness, safety and quality of life outcomes of existing therapies that are used to treat pediatric thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). The long-term goal of the research conducted in this program is to refine treatment guidelines and best practices to minimize treatment-related late effects and improve medical and quality of life outcomes for children and adolescents with thyroid nodules and DTC.

Ongoing studies in the Bauer Research Program are investigating the use of single or combinations of biomarkers to aid in the diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of pediatric thyroid nodules and DTC. Recent studies between the Bauer laboratory, National Cancer Institute, the International Pleuropulmonary Blastoma Registry, and Children’s National Medical Center have helped to clarify the role of germline DICER1 mutations in the development of multinodular goiter and DTC. Additional studies are underway to identify other biomarkers that can be used singly or in combination to determine the malignancy disease progression and treatment options for pediatric thyroid nodules and DTC.

Other studies in the Bauer Research Program are focused on developing pediatric-specific guidelines to help do optimize care and minimize treatment-related morbidities and late effects frequently observed among children and adolescents with thyroid nodules and DTC. The hope is that creation of these guidelines will help to improve psychosocial functioning, medical outcomes and quality of life measures for children and adolescents with DTC.

Researchers are also reviewing existing treatment regimens and clinical best practices to help to improve the health-related quality of life outcomes for pediatric patients with DTC. Efforts are underway to develop and implement quality of life measures and interventions to help maintain high cure rates while minimizing medical and psychosocial late effects for pediatric patients with thyroid nodules and DTC.

Future studies will continue to focus on identifying new biomarkers and refining existing treatment guidelines and best practices to improve diagnosis, treatment and quality of life outcomes for children and adolescents with thyroid nodules and DTC.