An antibody-like peptide that recognizes malignancy among thyroid nodules

► ELISA was performed on cancer and goiter cases in order to analyze the specific protein binding properties and to select the best phage clones for immunohistochemistry testing. ► To confirm the ability of the selected clones to target cancer cells, phage clone CaT12 and CaT18 were amplified, purified and directly tested in IHC assays of the TMA. ► We observed an overall higher positivity using CaT12 peptide in goiters, FA and FC, whereas CaT12 phage was more frequently positive in CPTC and FCPTC. ► Both CaT12 phage and synthetic peptide were able to identify malignancy among follicular patterned lesions.