Clinical Research Directory

CT Volumetry and Hepatic Vascular Deformation Mapping to Predict Post-Hepatectomy Liver Failure

Removing a large part of the liver (major hepatectomy) can cure primary and secondary liver cancers, but it carries the risk of post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF), a serious complication in which the liver left behind - the future liver remnant (FLR) - cannot meet the body's metabolic needs. PHLF occurs after roughly 5% to 15% of major hepatectomies and is the leading cause of postoperative death. Before surgery, surgeons routinely use CT scans to measure how much liver will remain (CT volumetry). Volume alone does not tell the whole story. After a large resection the remaining liver can rotate and shift into the empty space left behind, kinking or compressing the veins that drain it. The resulting congestion can make an apparently adequate remnant fail. This prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study tests whether adding two elements to standard CT volumetry improves the preoperative prediction of liver failure: 1. Hepatic vascular deformation mapping (VDM), a three-dimensional image-analysis technique that quantifies the geometry and displacement of the hepatic veins and the portal vein; and 2. A set of simple, reproducible measurements that any radiologist can make on a standard CT scan (hepatic vein diameters, congestion index, spleen volume, liver attenuation, and the distances from the veins to the planned resection plane). Consecutive adults undergoing major hepatic resection (three or more Couinaud segments) at several tertiary hepatobiliary centers will be enrolled. The preoperative CT scans already performed as part of routine care are analyzed centrally by a core imaging laboratory. There is no additional imaging, no extra hospital visit, and no study-specific intervention: every patient receives standard surgical care. Participants are followed for at least 30 days after surgery to record liver failure (International Study Group of Liver Surgery criteria, operationalized by the "50-50" rule on postoperative day 5) and radiologic evidence of hepatic congestion. Three nested prediction models are compared - volumetry alone; volumetry plus VDM; and volumetry plus VDM plus the simple radiology parameters - and the best-performing model is converted into a practical risk score. Because the study runs across several centers, the model can be validated by leaving one center out at a time, which gives an honest estimate of how well it would perform at a new hospital. The goal is a generalizable, easy-to-use tool that tells surgeons, before the operation, which patients are genuinely at risk of post-hepatectomy liver failure.

Symbiotic-GI-13: A Study to Learn About Study Medicine Called PF-08634404 as a Single Treatment and Combination Treatment in Adult Participants With a Liver Cancer Called Hepatocellular Carcinoma, That is Too Advanced to be Removed by Surgery and May Have Spread to Other Parts of the Body.

The purpose of this study is to learn about the effects of study medicine (PF-08634404) when given alone or with another antibody (ipilimumab) for the treatment of a type of liver cancer called hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that is either locally advanced (spread to nearby tissues) or has spread to other parts of the body. To join the study, participants must meet the following conditions: * Be 18 years or older. * Have locally advanced or metastatic HCC. * Is not a candidate for complete surgical or loco-regional therapies. * Have not received any whole-body treatment for HCC. Participants will receive PF-08634404 either alone or in combination with ipilimumab. The medicine will be given through intravenous (IV) infusions, which means it will be administered directly into a vein. All treatments will take place at clinical trial sites, where trained medical staff will monitor participants during and after each visit.

A Prospective Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of the Combination Therapy of Irpagratinib, Atezolizumab, and Bevacizumab in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma

This is a phase 2, open-label study to evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of Irpagratinib in combination with Atezolizumab and Bevacizumab in patients with advanced or unresectable HCC harboring FGF19 overexpression. This study composes two parts, a Safety Run-in part to evaluate safety and establish the dose of Irpagratinib for the triple combination, and an Expansion part to evaluate the preliminary efficacy and safety using Simon's two-stage design.

A Study of Pexa-Vec (JX-594) Prior to Sorafenib to Treat Unresectable Primary Hepatocellular Carcinoma

The purpose of this pilot safety study is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of JX-594 (Pexa-Vec) administered intravenously and intratumorally prior to standard sorafenib therapy.

Hepatic Artery Infusion Chemotherapy Plus Donafenib in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Surgery

This is an open-label，multi-center ，non-randomized ，single arm exploratory study . This clinical study is an investigator-initiated clinical trial（IIT ）. The objective of this study is to evaluate if the addition of hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) and Donafenib after curative resection for hepatocellular carcinoma patients with a solitary tumor≥5 cm and microvascular invasion （MVI） will prevent or delay the recurrence of the disease.

A Study of Atezolizumab Plus Bevacizumab Versus Active Surveillance as Adjuvant Therapy in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma at High Risk of Recurrence After Surgical Resection or Ablation

This study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of adjuvant therapy with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab compared with active surveillance in participants with completely resected or ablated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who are at high risk for disease recurrence.

Preventing Liver Cancer Mortality Through Imaging With Ultrasound vs. MRI

The study is a randomized trial of two different screening methods for early detection of liver cancer in patients with cirrhosis of the liver. The goal of PREMIUM is to compare an abbreviated version of the diagnostic gold standard for HCC (aMRI) +AFP to the standard-of-care screening (US+AFP) in patients at high risk of developing HCC. The investigators hypothesize that HCC will be detected at earlier stages, allowing for more curative treatments and resulting in a reduction in HCC-related mortality.

A Study of Recombinant Vaccinia Virus to Treat Unresectable Primary Hepatocellular Carcinoma

The purpose of this research study is to determine whether JX-594 (Pexa-Vec) has significant anti-tumoral activity and tolerability in primary hepatocellular carcinoma and to determine the dose to be used in further testing.

Safety and Efficacy of Lenvatinib (E7080/MK-7902) With Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in Combination With Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) in Participants With Incurable/Non-metastatic Hepatocellular Carcinoma (MK-7902-012/E7080-G000-318/LEAP-012)

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of lenvatinib and pembrolizumab in combination with TACE versus TACE plus oral and intravenous (IV) placebos in participants with incurable, non-metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The primary hypotheses are that pembrolizumab plus lenvatinib in combination with TACE is superior to placebo plus TACE with respect to progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

Paediatric Hepatic International Tumour Trial

The PHITT trial is an over-arching study for patients with Hepatoblastoma (HB) and Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). This trial will use a risk-adapted approach to the treatment of children diagnosed with HB. Children with HCC will be included as a separate cohort.

Efficacy and Safety of Multimodal Ablation Combined With PD-1 Monoclonal Antibody, Lenvatinib and TACE in the Treatment of Unresectable Primary Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Single-Arm, Single-Center Clinical Study

This study is a prospective, single-arm, single-center trial evaluating the efficacy of TACE combined with multimodal ablation, Tislelizumab, and lenvatinib in the treatment of unresectable primary liver cancer.

Use of Gender, Age, Alfa-fetoprotein (AFP), and Des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin (PIVKA-II) or GAAD Score in Addition to Ultrasound for Surveillance of People At-risk for Developing Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Asia in Order to Detect Early Liver Cancer

HCC surveillance is currently limited by underutilization and the suboptimal performance of AFP. This prospective, single-arm study investigates whether the GAAD score (Gender, Age, AFP, and PIVKA-II) enhances HCC detection when added to standard-of-care surveillance. High-risk patients will undergo US plus GAAD score testing every six months for two years. The primary analysis compares the relative true positive rate (rTPR) and relative false positive rate (rFPR) of surveillance modalities (US, AFP, GAAD) against combined strategies (US+AFP; US+GAAD), utilizing a 2.57 GAAD cut-off. Secondary endpoints include longitudinal biomarker kinetics, early-stage HCC detection rates, and the impact on downstream imaging (CT/MRI) volume. Ultimately, this study seeks to define the role of GAAD as a surveillance adjunct and inform future clinical guidelines for biomarker-enhanced HCC screening.

Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C as Risk Factors for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in African and Asian Immigrants

The prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the United States (US) is relatively low. However, immigrant populations in the US from Asia and sub-Saharan Africa have substantially higher prevalence than the general population and are consequently at a significant risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Indeed, the age-adjusted incidence rates for HCC in the US have tripled from 1975 to 2005. As the population demographics have changed, the 2000 US census estimated the number of Somalis in Minnesota at 25,000 but current estimates put the number at around 50,000 due to primary refugee arrivals as well as secondary immigration from other states. There is no available data for Somali immigrants in the US on HBV and HCV prevalence, HBV and HCV genotypes/subgenotypes, and genetic and immunologic risk factors predisposing Somalis to HBV and HCV and the subsequent development of HCC. Therefore. this study will fill these gaps in the Somali population to understand the relative importance of HBV and HCV infections in causation of HCC. Besides Somalis, Minnesota is also home to large other African immigrant communities. According to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), in 2013, the highest rates of chronic HBV cases where reported among Asian or Pacific Islanders (3,638 cases per 100,000 persons) followed by Black or African Americans (2,078 cases per 100,000 persons). Additionally, Minnesota receives a large number of new refugee's resettlement. It is important to improve the identification of chronic HBV and HCV infections among Somali refugees and immigrants in Minnesota through well-designed community-wide screening efforts. Since we know that African immigration to Minnesota is the third highest in the US, this unique population might be a contributing factor to the increased burden of hepatitis and liver cancer complications in the state of Minnesota. Findings from HBV and HCV screening among Somalis suggest that other immigrant African populations from high viral hepatitis endemic regions, such Ethiopia, Liberia, and Kenya, are also at substantial risk of HBV, HCV and HCC. Unfortunately, very little research has been conducted in the US on the burden of hepatitis and liver cancer in African Immigrants from areas of high endemicity of hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Therefore, the goal of is to identify HBV and HCV and the role viral genetics and immune response among African immigrant communities from Kenya, Liberia, and Ethiopia.

Mass Response of Tumor Cells as a Biomarker for Rapid Therapy Guidance (TraveraRTGx)

The primary objective of this study, sponsored by Travera Inc. in Massachusetts, is to validate whether the mass response biomarker has potential to predict response of patients to specific therapies or therapeutic combinations using isolated tumor cells from various specimen formats including malignant fluids such as pleural effusions and ascites, core needle biopsies, fine needle aspirates, or resections.

Atezolizumab Plus Bevacizumab With HCC and HBV Infection

This is a single-arm clinical trial. The main objective is to determine the efficacy of atezolizumab+bevacizumab therapy in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and with chronic hepatitis B virus infection. All eligible patients will receive atezolizumab + bevacizumab therapy.

Regorafenib After Treatment Failure of First Line Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Treatment in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients

Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-based regimens (atezolizumab+bevacizumab, durvalumab+tremelimumab, nivolumab+ipilimumab) are now a first-line standard for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). For Child-Pugh (CP) A patients, regorafenib, cabozantinib, and ramucirumab are approved second-line agents, but there is no approved second-line systemic therapy for CP-B. In CP-B historical controls treated with best supportive care, median progression free survival (PFS) was \~1.4 months in a REACH trial subgroup analysis and \~1.9 months in a CELESTIAL trial subgroup analysis. Regorafenib demonstrated benefit as a post-sorafenib second-line therapy in CP-A patients in the RESORCE trial, but prospective evidence in CP-B is lacking. A multicenter retrospective study of CP-B patients receiving second-line regorafenib after sorafenib reported a median PFS of 1.8 months, and prospective data after ICI-based first-line therapy are not available. This study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of regorafenib as second-line therapy in CP-B patients with disease progression after first-line ICI-based treatment. The primary objective is to demonstrate superiority over historical controls, with PFS as the primary endpoint. After written informed consent, all participants will receive regorafenib. Regorafenib will be administered at 120 mg orally once daily at the same time each day, after a meal with water, for 3 consecutive weeks followed by 1 week off (4-week cycle). Treatment must start within 3 days after screening and will continue until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, withdrawal of consent, or study termination, whichever occurs first. After treatment discontinuation, patients will be followed every 12 week (+/-7 days) for survival status and subsequent anticancer therapies, and survival follow-up will continue for at least 12 months after enrollment of the last participant.

Regorafenib After Failure of Lenvatinib in Patients With Unresectable HCC: The RELEVANT-HCC Trial

The purpose of this clinical trial is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of regorafenib as a subsequent therapy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have failed prior lenvatinib treatment. This investigational study aims to assess the therapeutic benefits and safety profile of regorafenib in patients whose disease has progressed following the use of lenvatinib, a targeted therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma

A Study to Evaluate the Tolerability, Safety, and PK of AST-201 in Patients With GPC3-positive Advanced Solid Tumors

This is the first in human trial clinical study of AST-201 in patients with GPC3-positive advanced solid tumors. This study aims to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic properties, and preliminary efficacy of AST-201 across various tumor types.

A Study of E7386 in Combination With Other Anticancer Drug(s) in Participants With Solid Tumor

The primary objective of this study is to assess the safety and tolerability and to determine the recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) of E7386 in combination with other anticancer drug(s), and to determine the optimal dose of E7386 in combination with lenvatinib in endometrial carcinoma (EC) (for EC Dose Optimization Part only).

Safety and Efficacy of Everolimus Treatment in Liver Transplantation for Liver Cancer

This study is a prospective Phase IV study to determine if the use of Everolimus results in lower liver tumor recurrence and improved patient and graft survival after liver transplant for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The immunosuppressive comparators will be Everolimus and Tacrolimus therapy compared to Tacrolimus and Mycophenolic acid/Mycophenolate Mofetil/Azathioprine. Primary outcomes data is disease free survival (the time from randomization to HCC recurrence or death). Secondary outcomes are rate of recurrence of Hepatitis C, problems related to wound healing, hernia repair within the first 12 months, hepatic arterial thrombosis, renal function, acute cellular rejection, post-transplant diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia.

Tislelizumab Consolidation After Liver-Directed Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

The investigators hypothesize that the addition of Tislelizumab after definitive local therapy for locally advanced inoperable Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) will synergize with local therapy as well as treat micro metastatic disease and improve one year progression-free survival rates for participants and optimize local control.

Characterizing Disease Biology, Treatment and Toxicity in Older Adults With Hepatocellular Carcinoma

This is an observational, prospective cohort study that will recruit a diverse sample of 84 participants with newly diagnosed with unresectable, advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at the UT Health Cancer Center in San Antonio. This study uses geriatric assessment tools with participants 65 years and older and collects adverse events and exploratory markers of aging for all participants.

National Liver Cancer Screening Trial

The National Liver Cancer Screening Trial is an adaptive randomized phase IV Trial comparing ultrasound-based versus biomarker-based screening in 5500 patients with cirrhosis from any etiology or patients with chronic hepatitis B infection. Eligible patients will be randomized in a 1:1 fashion to Arm A using semi-annual ultrasound and AFP-based screening or Arm B using semi-annual screening using GALAD alone. Randomization will be stratified by sex, enrolling site, Child Pugh class (A vs. B), and HCC etiology (viral vs. non-viral). Patients will be recruited from 15 sites (mix of tertiary care and large community health systems) over a 3-year period, and the primary endpoint of the phase IV trial, reduction in late-stage HCC, will be assessed after 5.5 years.

Exploration of Postoperative Adjuvant Therapy for HCC Patients With Positive TB

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common types of primary liver cancer worldwide, characterized by complex and variable disease progression and significant treatment challenges. Among HCC patients, tumor budding (TB) is associated with a high risk of postoperative recurrence, significantly impacting patient prognosis. Even in the current HCC pathological diagnosis "gold standard" of MVI-negative patients, TB retains excellent prognostic predictive value. TB cells reside within the peritumoral stroma, where dense collagen fibers restrict the efficacy of therapeutic agents including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies, making it difficult for single-agent treatments to effectively eliminate TB. Therefore, specific treatment strategies should be considered for TB-positive patients to improve survival outcomes and reduce the risk of tumor recurrence. To address this clinical challenge, this study aims to clarify the prognostic impact of combining collagen degradation therapy with targeted therapy in TB-positive HCC patients. Through a single-arm trial (postoperative targeted therapy + collagen degradation therapy), investigators explore the clinical efficacy and prognostic indicators of this combination approach, seeking the optimal treatment strategy for TB-positive HCC patients. Collagen degradation therapy facilitates drug delivery to tumor-bottle lesions by degrading collagen barriers, while targeted therapy specifically intervenes against cancer cells. Their combination holds promise for synergistic effects and enhanced therapeutic outcomes. This study aims to preliminarily assess the impact of this dual approach on prognosis, providing evidence for personalized treatment strategies. The findings of this research hold promise for delivering new breakthroughs in the treatment of TB-positive HCC patients, improving their quality of life and survival rates, and providing robust support for future clinical practice.