Tumor-targeted immune therapy plus 90Y radioembolization for liver cancer
Local Tumoral Delivered Immune Checkpoint Blockades Immunotherapy and Radioembolization Combination Therapy
Combines immune drugs delivered directly into liver tumors with 90Y radioembolization to help people with hepatocellular carcinoma get better tumor control while limiting whole-body immune side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11188990 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would receive immune checkpoint blocking antibodies delivered directly to your liver tumor alongside 90Y radioembolization, a targeted form of internal radiation. The radiation is intended to kill tumor cells in a way that makes them more visible to the immune system, while local delivery of the immune drug aims to concentrate immune activity at the tumor and reduce systemic autoimmune reactions. Doctors will use imaging such as CT scans and lab tests to track tumor response, liver function, and immune-related side effects over time. The plan focuses on patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who are not candidates for curative surgery or transplant.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with hepatocellular carcinoma whose tumors are amenable to 90Y radioembolization and who are not candidates for resection or liver transplant.
Not a fit: People without hepatocellular carcinoma, those with diffuse metastatic disease, very poor liver function, or with conditions that make 90Y or immune therapy unsafe are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could improve tumor control and possibly survival in liver cancer while lowering the risk of widespread immune side effects.
How similar studies have performed: Systemic PD-1/PD-L1 immune therapies have shown benefit for some liver cancer patients, and early clinical work combining liver-directed radiation with immunotherapy is promising but remains experimental.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kim, Dong-Hyun — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Kim, Dong-Hyun
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.