Atorvastatin to lower the risk of liver cancer
Trial of Statins for Chemoprevention in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
This project tests whether the cholesterol medicine atorvastatin can reduce the chance of developing liver cancer in adults at increased risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11174279 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would join a two-arm trial where people are randomly assigned to take atorvastatin or not and are followed over time. Doctors will use blood tests, liver biopsies when needed, and a new 186-gene "Prognostic Liver Signature" from liver tissue to estimate your future liver cancer risk. The team will monitor changes in that gene risk score and track any new cases of hepatocellular carcinoma during active follow-up. Visits will include safety checks for side effects and routine lab work.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults age 21 or older with chronic liver disease or cirrhosis who are at increased risk for hepatocellular carcinoma and who can safely take a statin.
Not a fit: People without liver disease, children, or anyone who cannot safely take statins (for example due to severe muscle or liver problems) are unlikely to benefit from this trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, taking atorvastatin could lower the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma for people with cirrhosis or other high-risk liver conditions.
How similar studies have performed: Laboratory studies and population-based observational data suggest lipophilic statins like atorvastatin reduce HCC risk, but randomized trials for HCC prevention have not previously been reported.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chung, Raymond T — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Chung, Raymond T
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.