EndoCompass Project: Research Roadmap for Thyroid Endocrinology

Agnieszka Piekielko-Witkowska¹, Rossella Elisei², Juliane Léger³, Bela Bendlova⁴, Barbora Bulanová Pekova⁴, Philippe Caron⁵, Cosimo Durante⁶, Martin Fassnacht^{7

8}, Ulla Feldt-Rasmussen^{9

10}, Helena Filipsson Nyström^{11

12

13}, Heleen Jansen¹⁴, Josef Köhrle¹⁵, Aleksander Kus¹⁶, Marian Ludgate¹⁷, Jonathan Mertens¹⁸, Małgorzata Oczko-Wojciechowska¹⁹, Catherine Peters²⁰, Nadia Schoenmakers²¹, Athanasia Stoupa^{22

23}, Hanneke van Santen²⁴, Pierpaolo Trimboli^{25

26}, Paul van Trotsenburg^{27

28}, W Edward Visser²⁹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Centre of Translational Research, Warsaw, Poland.
² Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy, rossella.elisei@med.unipi.it.
³ AP-HP, Nord Université Paris Cité, Service d'Endocrinologie et Diabétologie Pédiatrique, Centre de Référence Maladies Endocriniennes Rares de la Croissance et du Développement, Inserm U1141 NeuroDiderot, Hôpital Universitaire Robert-Debré, Paris, France.
⁴ Department of Molecular Endocrinology, Institute of Endocrinology, Prague, Czechia.
⁵ Department of Endocrinology, Metabolic Diseases and Nutrition, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Unit, Larrey University Hospital, Toulouse, France.
⁶ Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
⁷ Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
⁸ Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
⁹ Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
¹⁰ Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
¹¹ Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
¹² Wallenberg's Centre of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Region Västra Götaland, Gothenburg, Sweden.
¹³ Department of Endocrinology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
¹⁴ Endocrine Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Gastroenterology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
¹⁵ Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institut für Experimentelle Endokrinologie, Berlin, Germany.
¹⁶ Department of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
¹⁷ School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
¹⁸ Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Paediatrics, Universiteit Antwerpen, Antwerp, Belgium.
¹⁹ Department of Clinical and Molecular Genetics, Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, Gliwice, Poland.
²⁰ Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK.
²¹ Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
²² Pediatric Endocrinology, Gynecology and Diabetology Department, Hôpital Universitaire Necker-Enfants Malades, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France.
²³ Cochin Institute and IMAGINE Institute Affiliate, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France.
²⁴ Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Supportive Care, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital and Princess Máxima Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
²⁵ Clinic for Endocrinology and Diabetology, Lugano Regional Hospital, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland.
²⁶ Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Lugano, Switzerland.
²⁷ Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
²⁸ Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
²⁹ Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC Academic Center for Thyroid Diseases, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

PMID: 41325413
PMCID: PMC12698131
DOI: 10.1159/000549075

Review

EndoCompass Project: Research Roadmap for Thyroid Endocrinology

Agnieszka Piekielko-Witkowska et al. Horm Res Paediatr. 2025.

. 2025;98(Suppl. 2):144-157.

doi: 10.1159/000549075. Epub 2025 Dec 1.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Centre of Translational Research, Warsaw, Poland.
² Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy, rossella.elisei@med.unipi.it.
³ AP-HP, Nord Université Paris Cité, Service d'Endocrinologie et Diabétologie Pédiatrique, Centre de Référence Maladies Endocriniennes Rares de la Croissance et du Développement, Inserm U1141 NeuroDiderot, Hôpital Universitaire Robert-Debré, Paris, France.
⁴ Department of Molecular Endocrinology, Institute of Endocrinology, Prague, Czechia.
⁵ Department of Endocrinology, Metabolic Diseases and Nutrition, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Unit, Larrey University Hospital, Toulouse, France.
⁶ Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
⁷ Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
⁸ Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
⁹ Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
¹⁰ Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
¹¹ Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
¹² Wallenberg's Centre of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Region Västra Götaland, Gothenburg, Sweden.
¹³ Department of Endocrinology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
¹⁴ Endocrine Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Gastroenterology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
¹⁵ Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institut für Experimentelle Endokrinologie, Berlin, Germany.
¹⁶ Department of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
¹⁷ School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
¹⁸ Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Paediatrics, Universiteit Antwerpen, Antwerp, Belgium.
¹⁹ Department of Clinical and Molecular Genetics, Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, Gliwice, Poland.
²⁰ Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK.
²¹ Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
²² Pediatric Endocrinology, Gynecology and Diabetology Department, Hôpital Universitaire Necker-Enfants Malades, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France.
²³ Cochin Institute and IMAGINE Institute Affiliate, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France.
²⁴ Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Supportive Care, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital and Princess Máxima Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
²⁵ Clinic for Endocrinology and Diabetology, Lugano Regional Hospital, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland.
²⁶ Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Lugano, Switzerland.
²⁷ Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
²⁸ Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
²⁹ Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC Academic Center for Thyroid Diseases, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

PMID: 41325413
PMCID: PMC12698131
DOI: 10.1159/000549075

Abstract

Background: Endocrine science remains underrepresented in European Union research programs despite the fundamental role of hormone health in human well-being. Analysis of the CORDIS database reveals a persistent gap between the societal impact of endocrine disorders and their research prioritization. At national funding level, endocrine societies report limited or little attention of national research funding toward endocrinology. The EndoCompass project - a joint initiative between the European Society of Endocrinology and the European Society of Paediatric Endocrinology, aimed to identify and promote strategic research priorities in endocrine science to address critical hormone-related health challenges.

Methods: Research priorities were established through comprehensive analysis of the EU CORDIS database covering the Horizon 2020 framework period (2014-2020). Expert consultation in thyroid endocrinology was conducted to identify key research priorities, followed by broader stakeholder engagement including society members and patient advocacy groups.

Results: For thyroid disorders, research priorities encompass neoplastic and nonneoplastic conditions, focusing on disease mechanisms, improved diagnostics and treatments, and the impact of environmental and metabolic factors. Key areas include personalized medicine approaches, artificial intelligence applications, and the establishment of pan-European registries to advance understanding of rare thyroid conditions.

Conclusions: The thyroid component of the EndoCompass project provides an evidence-based roadmap for strategic research investment. This framework identifies crucial investigation areas into thyroid disease pathophysiology, prevention, and treatment strategies, ultimately aimed at reducing the burden of thyroid disorders on individuals and society. The findings support the broader EndoCompass objective of aligning research funding with areas of highest potential impact in endocrine health.

Keywords: Autoimmune thyroid disease; Congenital hypothyroidism; Endocrine-disrupting chemicals; Graves’ disease; Hashimoto’s thyroiditis; Medullary thyroid cancer; Microbiome; Subclinical thyroid disease; Thyroid; Thyroid cancer.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

**Fig. 1.**
Unmeet needs in thyroid cancer research: suggestions for possible future research that should lead to clinical application (see text for details).

**Fig. 2.**
Unmeet needs in thyroid benign disease research: suggestions for possible future research that should lead to clinical application (see text for details). Part of the figure was adapted from Jansen et al. [63].

See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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1. Köhrle J, Frädrich C. Deiodinases control local cellular and systemic thyroid hormone availability. Free Radic Biol Med. 2022;193(Pt 1):59–79. - PubMed
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EndoCompass Project: Research Roadmap for Thyroid Endocrinology

Affiliations

EndoCompass Project: Research Roadmap for Thyroid Endocrinology

Authors

Affiliations

Abstract

Conflict of interest statement

Figures

References

Publication types

MeSH terms

LinkOut - more resources

Full Text Sources

Medical

Miscellaneous