MKK4 and Liver Regeneration after Major Liver Surgery
Official title: MKK4 Regulation of Liver Regeneration after Resection of Colorectal Metastasis or Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma
Funded at Mayo Clinic Rochester · NIH-11393014 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at Mayo Clinic will test a new drug, HRX215, to help people regrow liver tissue after major liver surgery for cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | August 13, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $322,800 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK140085-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11393014 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults undergoing major hepatectomy or portal vein embolization for liver cancer at Mayo Clinic Rochester.
✕Less likely to help
People not undergoing liver resection or not meeting timing/place criteria may not benefit.
What this research studies
If you need part of your liver removed due to cancer, this trial looks at whether HRX215 can boost liver regrowth without promoting tumor growth. The study will enroll about eighty adults undergoing liver-directed procedures and randomize them to receive HRX215 or a placebo around the time of the procedure. Participants will take the study drug for 28 days and will have imaging tests to monitor liver growth and recovery. The goal is to see if HRX215 safely enhances liver regeneration in humans, building on positive animal data.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, HRX215 could help patients recover liver function faster after surgery.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical studies in animals showed strong liver regeneration with HRX215, supporting translation to humans.
Where this research is happening
-
Mayo Clinic Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nyberg, Scott Lyle — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Nyberg, Scott Lyle
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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.