Progastrin-Releasing Peptide and Procalcitonin as Additional Markers in the Diagnostic Workup for Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors' conclusion
ProGRP alone or with CT does not have additional value as a diagnostic marker for MTC. A two-step approach combining the use of CT and PCT measurement, in the CT concentration range between 10 and 100 pg/mL, is a promising method to diagnose MTC in patients with thyroid nodules with high diagnostic accuracy.
Study context
- Population
- Adults undergoing thyroid surgery for thyroid nodular disease, tertiary center in the Netherlands (discovery, 2013–2025) and validation cohort from Switzerland; benign disease, non-MTC carcinomas, medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)335 discovery, 61 validation · benign disease 166 · non-MTC carcinomas 186 · MTC 44
- Comparison
- ProGRP and procalcitonin (PCT) vs calcitonin (CT) for diagnosis of MTC
- Outcome
- Diagnostic performance for MTC
Methodological detailsprospective, multicohort, discovery and validation cohorts
- Prospective
- Multicohort
- Discovery and validation cohorts
Performance
As reported in the abstract
| Test or model | Sensitivity | Specificity | PPV | NPV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progastrin-releasing peptide (proGRP) | 69.2% (CI 48.2-85.7)Sensitivity on a scale from 0 to 100 percent | — not stated in the abstract | — not stated in the abstract | — not stated in the abstract |
| PCT | 100.0% (CI 89.1-100.0)Sensitivity on a scale from 0 to 100 percent | — not stated in the abstract | — not stated in the abstract | — not stated in the abstract |
| CT | 100.0% (CI 88.8-100.0)Sensitivity on a scale from 0 to 100 percent | — not stated in the abstract | — not stated in the abstract | — not stated in the abstract |
| CT + PCT | 100% (CI 91.8-100.0)Sensitivity on a scale from 0 to 100 percent | 99.7% (CI 98.4-100.0)Specificity on a scale from 0 to 100 percent | 97.7% (CI 88.0-99.9) | 100% (CI 98.9-100.0) |
Sensitivity
Progastrin-releasing peptide (proGRP)69.2% (CI 48.2-85.7)
PCT100.0% (CI 89.1-100.0)
CT100.0% (CI 88.8-100.0)
CT + PCT100% (CI 91.8-100.0)
Sensitivity on a scale from 0 to 100 percentSpecificity
Progastrin-releasing peptide (proGRP)— not stated in the abstract
PCT— not stated in the abstract
CT— not stated in the abstract
CT + PCT99.7% (CI 98.4-100.0)
Specificity on a scale from 0 to 100 percentPPV
Progastrin-releasing peptide (proGRP)— not stated in the abstract
PCT— not stated in the abstract
CT— not stated in the abstract
CT + PCT97.7% (CI 88.0-99.9)
NPV
Progastrin-releasing peptide (proGRP)— not stated in the abstract
PCT— not stated in the abstract
CT— not stated in the abstract
CT + PCT100% (CI 98.9-100.0)
— not stated in the abstract
Further findings
Median proGRP and PCT levels · preoperative
- Median proGRP and PCT significantly higher in MTC vs benign disease and non-MTC
Original publication
Progastrin-Releasing Peptide and Procalcitonin as Additional Markers in the Diagnostic Workup for Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma. Thyroid. Published 27 June 2025. doi:10.
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