NIH-funded research R01 grant

Combining immune therapy with targeted radiation for liver cancer treatment

Official title: Local Tumoral Delivered Immune Checkpoint Blockades Immunotherapy and Radioembolization Combination Therapy

Funded at Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-10915561 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a new way to treat liver cancer by combining a special type of immune therapy with targeted radiation to help make the treatment more effective, and it's for patients who are looking for better options to fight their cancer.

More Immunotherapy research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNorthwestern University at Chicago
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chicago, United States)
Project startSeptember 1, 2023
Project endAugust 31, 2028
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$338,934
NIH project number5R01CA282664-02
Project IDNIH-10915561 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma who are not eligible for surgical resection or transplantation.

Less likely to help

Patients with other types of cancer or those who have already undergone extensive treatment for HCC may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates a new treatment approach for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a common and deadly liver cancer. It combines immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) immunotherapy with 90Y-radioembolization, a targeted radiation therapy that delivers high doses of radiation directly to the tumor while sparing healthy tissue. The goal is to enhance the effectiveness of the immune therapy by using the radiation to induce cell death in the tumor, potentially leading to better patient outcomes. Patients will be monitored closely to assess the treatment's impact on tumor response and overall health.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a more effective treatment option for patients with liver cancer, potentially improving survival rates and quality of life.

How similar studies have gone: Previous clinical trials have shown promise in combining immunotherapy with targeted therapies, suggesting that this approach may lead to significant advancements in treatment.

Where this research is happening

  • Northwestern University at Chicago
    Chicago, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Kim, Dong-Hyun — Northwestern University at Chicago
  • Study coordinator: Kim, Dong-Hyun

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.