Improving screening for liver cancer in patients with cirrhosis

Precision Risk Stratification and Screening for HCC among Patients with Cirrhosis in the United States

NIH-funded research Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-10477966

This study is looking to improve how we screen for liver cancer in people with cirrhosis by finding a better way to match screening tests to each person's risk, so that those at higher risk can be detected earlier and get better care.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUt Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Dallas, United States)
Project IDNIH-10477966 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research aims to enhance the screening process for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with cirrhosis by developing a precision risk stratification strategy. It recognizes that not all patients with cirrhosis are at the same risk for HCC and that current screening methods, such as ultrasound and alpha-fetoprotein tests, are not effective for everyone. By analyzing data from over 6000 cirrhosis patients across multiple cohorts, the study will evaluate different models to better match screening tests to individual patient risk levels. This personalized approach seeks to improve early detection rates and ultimately patient outcomes.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with cirrhosis, particularly those at varying levels of risk for developing hepatocellular carcinoma.

Not a fit: Patients without cirrhosis or those with liver conditions that do not progress to HCC may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier detection of liver cancer in high-risk patients, improving survival rates.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that personalized screening approaches can improve outcomes in cancer detection, suggesting potential success for this novel strategy.

Where this research is happening

Dallas, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.