Cirrosis-related liver cancer prevention with a targeted EGFR treatment
Official title: Project 1: Cirrhosis-stroma-directed HCC chemoprevention with EGFR inhibition
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-11406302 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study tests whether a low-dose EGFR inhibitor can prevent progression to liver cancer in people with cirrhosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $534,834 |
| NIH project number | 5P50CA295495-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11406302 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with cirrhosis who are at risk for hepatocellular carcinoma and eligible for low-dose erlotinib therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who cannot tolerate erlotinib or have contraindications to EGFR inhibitors may not benefit and could experience adverse effects.
What this research studies
People living with cirrhosis often face a high risk of hepatocellular carcinoma, and this project explores whether giving erlotinib at a low dose for a longer period can reduce cancer risk by changing the liver tissue environment. The researchers built on prior biomarkers (PLS/PLSec) to identify those at higher risk and to track responses to therapy. The study uses evidence from animal models and a phase I trial to guide dosing, safety, and potential effectiveness over time. If successful, this approach could offer a new preventive option to lower cancer risk for patients with cirrhosis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with cirrhosis may have a lower chance of developing liver cancer and improved survival.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical data and a phase I trial suggested reduced cancer risk signals with low-dose erlotinib, supporting further investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hoshida, Yujin — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Hoshida, Yujin
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Statin therapy for people with compensated cirrhosis
A big, long-term study at a major university is looking at whether statins can help people with compensated cirrhosis live longer and feel better.
-
Liver Cirrhosis Network: Centers for Clinical Research
A multicenter study in people with cirrhosis from different causes (including HIV, NASH, and alcohol-related liver disease) to collect data and samples and test new ways to predict and monitor disease progression.
-
Outcomes in cirrhosis from different causes and the role of HIV and simvastatin
This study looks at how cirrhosis from alcohol, HIV, and other causes affects patients and whether simvastatin can influence outcomes.
-
Liver Cirrhosis Network: Mayo Clinic's Clinical Research Center
A Mayo Clinic-led project will follow and help people with compensated cirrhosis, using data, imaging, and a big AI tool to predict when complications may happen and test whether a statin can improve outcomes.
-
Understanding how risk factors affect progression of cirrhosis and response to statins in patients with cirrhosis
This project follows people with cirrhosis to see what factors speed up their liver disease and whether statin medicines help prevent worsening.
-
Cirrhosis Network study to understand mortality and therapies
A large, multi-center study in people with cirrhosis to find better ways to predict deaths and test the potential of statins to prevent complications like liver cancer and liver failure.
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.