Using immunotherapy before surgery for liver cancer
Official title: Preoperative immunotherapy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Funded at Emory University · NIH-10852872 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a special drug called regorafenib can help boost the effectiveness of an immune therapy for people with liver cancer before they have surgery, with the goal of reducing the chances of the cancer coming back afterward.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $173,764 |
| NIH project number | 5R21CA270903-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10852872 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with high-risk hepatocellular carcinoma, particularly those with large tumors, multifocal disease, or vascular invasion.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma or those who are not surgical candidates may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of immunotherapy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) before surgical removal of the tumor. It focuses on understanding how a specific drug, regorafenib, can enhance the effectiveness of an anti-PD-L1 antibody therapy by targeting immune cells that contribute to tumor growth and recurrence. The study aims to improve patient outcomes by reducing the chances of cancer returning after surgery through a combination of therapies that address immune resistance. Patients will be monitored for changes in their immune response and tumor characteristics during the treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the recurrence of liver cancer after surgery, improving survival rates for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results with immunotherapy approaches in other cancers, suggesting potential for success in this novel application for liver cancer.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lesinski, Gregory B. — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Lesinski, Gregory B.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Determinants of immunotherapy response in NASH-related liver cancer
Aims to understand why some patients with NASH-related hepatocellular carcinoma respond differently to immunotherapy and to identify biomarkers that predict who benefits.
-
Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy Platform for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
A Johns Hopkins study will test immune-based therapy given before surgery to shrink liver cancer and help prevent recurrence.
-
Predicting early harms and biomarkers in liver cancer patients treated with immunotherapy
This grant aims to identify early signs of serious side effects and find blood biomarkers that predict toxicity or good response in people with hepatocellular carcinoma treated with immunotherapy.
-
Catheter-guided nanoparticle delivery of anti–PD-L1 immunotherapy to liver tumors
It delivers PD-L1 blocking immunotherapy directly into liver tumors through a catheter using nanoparticle carriers for people with hepatocellular carcinoma.
-
Image-guided device to deliver immunotherapy and heat to liver tumors
This project uses a special image-guided device to put immune-boosting medicine and controlled heat directly into liver tumors for people with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Why immunotherapy works less well for NASH-related liver cancer
This project tests whether adding drugs that block KIT/MAPK/Wnt pathways to immunotherapy helps people with NASH-related liver cancer respond better.
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.