Clinical Research Directory

Histotripsy for Ablation of Liver Tumours in Asia

The HALT study aims to evaluate histotripsy in an Asian population for both primary (HCC, CCA) and secondary liver malignancies with liver-limited or oligoprogressive disease. In addition to safety and local control, the study incorporates translational endpoints including immune profiling (PBMCs, cytokines), microbiome shifts, and optional tumour biopsies. This trial will provide critical data on the feasibility, tolerability, and biological impact of histotripsy in a region with the highest burden of liver cancer.

15 vs 45 Minute Pringle Maneuver in Liver Cancer Resection: Randomized Noninferiority Trial

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the safety of two durations of the Pringle maneuver in adults undergoing elective liver resection for malignant tumors. The main questions it aims to answer are: Is the incidence of post-hepatectomy liver failure different between 15-minute and 45-minute Pringle maneuver durations? * Do the durations differ in operative time or intraoperative blood loss? * Researchers will compare patients randomized 1:1 to 15 minutes vs 45 minutes of Pringle clamping to see if outcomes are non-inferior between groups. Participants will: * Undergo standard oncologic hepatectomy with the assigned Pringle duration. * Receive routine perioperative assessments, including laboratory tests and clinical evaluations. * Attend follow-up visits at approximately 6 months, 1 year, and 3 years after surgery.

High Dose-Rate Brachytherapy for the Treatment of Both Primary and Secondary Unresectable Liver Malignancies

Over the past three decades, the treatment of both primary and secondary liver malignancies has been improved by the development and optimization of multiple minimally invasive thermal ablative therapies. These advances have resulted in a myriad of benefits for patients including decreased morbidity, mortality, as well as increased longevity and quality of life. However, these therapies can only be performed within certain parameters. Thermal ablative techniques such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation (MVA) are recommended for small lesions under 3 cm due to decreased efficacy when attempting to treat larger lesions. Additionally, large vessels in close proximity to a target lesion may result in heat dissipation, termed the "heat sink" effect, and result in incomplete ablation of the lesion. Furthermore, thermal ablative techniques cause off-target damage when utilized near sensitive structures such as the diaphragm, stomach, or bowel, and if performed near thermosensitive bile ducts, can result in cholestasis . Noting these limitations, percutaneous high-dose-rate brachytherapy was brought into clinical practice by Ricke et al. in Europe in 2002 . This therapy utilizes an iridium-192 (192Ir) isotope to administer a cytotoxic dose of radiation to a target lesion. It is not susceptible to heat sink effects and can also deliver radiation with the precision necessary to cause tumor death without destroying the integrity of neighboring structures. Additionally, it can be used to treat larger tumors (\>3cm) as it is not associated the same size limitations as ablative techniques and can also be utilized to treat lesions that are not amenable to intra-arterial therapies (such as trans-arterial chemoembolization and yttrium-90 radioembolization). Since its inception, HDRBT has been evaluated through multiple studies investigating its use to treat lesions throughout the body including both primary and secondary liver malignancies such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cholangiocarcinoma, metastasis to the liver from colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer , melanoma , and breast cancer . Its use in treating lymph node metastases has also been investigated . These studies have demonstrated the feasibility, safety, and clinical effectiveness of this method, establishing it as a therapeutic option when use of thermal ablation therapies is restricted. Most studies however, have been retrospective and have been performed outside the United States. Studying this therapy will add a crucial treatment option to our current armamentarium, filling a gap in currently available therapies and additionally allowing for further investigation of the use of HDRBT in a larger and more diverse population.

Molecular Basis of Pediatric Liver Cancer

The purpose of this retrospective and prospective project is to understand the molecular and genetic basis of liver cancer of childhood. Understanding the molecular and genetic bases of liver cancers can offer a better classification based on tumor biology, mechanisms and predisposition.

TACE Combined With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors for Liver Malignant Tumors

This study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of TACE combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors to treat unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

Clinical Effectiveness of Microwave Ablation Using Starwave Microwave Generator for Hepatic Malignancies

The purpose of this study is to determine the technical success rate of creating a safety margin of 5 mm or more including the tumor by performing image-guided percutaneous microwave thermal therapy using a microwave generator and antenna developed by StarMed for the treatment of small liver cancer and the 1-year local recurrence rate based on follow-up imaging tests.