Dr. Carrie Lubitz received notice from the NIH that her R01 (Thyroid Nodule Treatment Optimization: A Personalized Approach) was being converted to an R37 award under a mechanism known as the Method to Extend Research In Time (MERIT). The R37 conversion provides long-term grant support to investigators whose research competence and productivity are distinctly superior and who are likely to continue to perform in an outstanding manner. Individual investigators may not apply for a MERIT award. Recipients are selected by program staff and/or members of the cognizant National Advisory Council/Board, who identify candidates during the course of reviewing competing research grant applications prepared and submitted in accordance with regular PHS requirements. Among the 31,000 active R01s in the U.S., there are only 500 active R37 awards. Moreover, as of July 31, 2019, there were only 19 active R37s at Partners, 10 at the MGH (exclusive of Dr. Lubitz’ award).
According to Kenneth Tanabe MD, Chief, Division of Surgical Oncology “It’s so fitting that the NIH has recognized Carrie and her research with a highly coveted MERIT award. Carrie is an outstanding role model for surgeon-scientists. Her innovative research will ultimately lead to improved patient outcomes.”
Dr. Lubitz’ research addresses the need for better personalized approaches to treating thyroid cancer. Thyroid nodules are present in over 30% of the U.S. population, leading to significant morbidity and health resource utilization. Moreover, these nodules harbor cancer in more than a half million Americans. The recent rise of thyroid cancer incidence is largely attributable to the increased diagnosis of well-differentiated papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), one of the more indolent and treatable subtypes. This spike in incidence has prompted changes in clinical guidelines favoring less aggressive interventions. These recent shifts in clinical practice, however, are not without consequence, as the potential exists to overlook small, potentially lethal, thyroid cancer subtypes. Thus, a critical need has developed to identify patients with aggressive cancers while avoiding overtreatment of indolent PTC.
Dr. Lubitz is utilizing a comprehensive computer model to simulate the pre-clinical course of individuals with benign and malignant nodules with the aim of optimizing personalized treatment approaches. Working with a multidisciplinary team that includes decision scientists and statisticians from the MGH Institute for Technology Assessment, Dr. Lubitz is focusing on two specific aims: (1) using diagnostic biomarkers to guide treatment and (2) assessing the impact of risk-stratified surveillance approaches in patients with both thyroid cancer and nodular disease.