Background: Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) patients often develop central lymph node metastases (CLNM), which pose a high risk of disease recurrence. The prophylactic central lymph node dissection (PCLND) is controversial, with proponents arguing for it to prevent local recurrence, and opponents objecting to the hypoparathyroidism and nerve damage risk. Currently, no diagnostic tool exists to identify patients who would benefit from a PCLND. Molecular Fluorescence Guided Surgery (MFGS) is a potential solution that uses fluorescent tracers to detect cancerous tissue. This study aims to investigate whether the administration of a GMP-produced near infrared (NIR) tracer, bevacizumab-IRDye800CW, targeting VEGF-A, can enable intraoperative selection of PTC/FTC/HTC patients for CLND.

Objective: The primary objective of the study is to determine the optimal dose of bevacizumab-IRDye800CW for an adequate tumor-to-background ratio (TBR) in PTC/FTC/HTC lymph node metastases. The secondary objectives are to evaluate the feasibility of MFGS for PTC/FTC/HTC and nodal metastasis assessment, to correlate and validate fluorescence signals detected in vivo with ex vivo histopathology and immunohistochemistry, to evaluate the distribution of bevacizumab-IRDye800CW on a microscopic level, and to quantify the sensitivity and specificity of bevacizumab-IRDye800CW for PTC/FTC/HTC and nodal metastasis.

Study Design: The TARGET-BEVA study is a non-randomized, non-blinded, prospective, single-center phase I feasibility study for patients with confirmed PTC/FTC/HTC, for which the best TBR dosage group in PTC/FTC/HTC nodal metastasis will be determined. The study will initiate with a 3 x 3 scheme: 4,5 mg, 10 mg, and 25 mg, with three patients confirmed with lymph node metastasis in each group. Dosages will be based on previous studies, with the primary objective being the detection of lymph node metastasis. After the first 9 patients, an interim analysis will be performed, after which the best dosage group will be expanded with another 7 patients.

Conclusion: The study aims to identify a novel diagnostic tool that can aid clinicians in selecting patients for PCLND, enabling a reduction in overtreatment, morbidity, and costs while maintaining effectiveness with a lower recurrence rate and improved quality of life.

Inclusion criteria

1. Age ≥ 18 years, eligible for surgery

2. Bethesda VI fine needle aspiration (FNA) thyroid or FNA proven PTC/FTC/HTC metastasis (primary or recurrence).

3. Scheduled to undergo central and/or lateral lymph node dissection with or without thyroidectomy as discussed in the Multi-Disciplinary Thyroid Board.

4. WHO performance score of 0-2.

5. Written informed consent.

6. Mentally competent person who is able and willing to comply with study procedures.

7. For female subjects who are of childbearing potential are premenopausal with intact reproductive organs or are less than two years post-menopausal:

   • A negative serum pregnancy test prior to receiving the tracer
   • Willing to ensure that she or her partner uses effective contraception during the trial and for 3 months thereafter.

Exclusion criteria

1. Pregnancy or breast feeding
2. Advanced stage thyroid cancer not suitable for surgical resection
3. Medical or psychiatric conditions that compromise the patient's ability to give informed consent
4. Concurrent anticancer therapy (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, vaccines, immunotherapy) delivered within the last three months prior to the start of the treatment
5. The subject has been included previously in this study or has been injected with another investigational medicinal product within the past six months
6. History of myocardial infarction (MI), TIA, CVA, pulmonary embolism, uncontrolled congestive heart failure (CHF), significant liver disease, unstable angina within 6 months prior to enrollment
7. Any significant change in their regular prescription or non-prescription medication between 14 days and 1 day prior to IMP administration.