Using statins to lower liver cancer risk in people with cirrhosis by changing a blood protein signature
Official title: Therapeutic modulation of a proteomic HCC risk signature with statins in patients with liver cirrhosis
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-11179201 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will see if statins can change a blood protein signature and reduce the chance of liver cancer in people with cirrhosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | September 25, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $628,059 |
| NIH project number | 4U01CA288375-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11179201 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with liver cirrhosis who do not currently have hepatocellular carcinoma and who can take a statin and attend periodic blood tests and clinic visits are the ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People with active liver cancer, those with contraindications to statins or unsafe liver function, and children would likely not benefit from or be eligible for this trial.
What this research studies
You would have blood drawn so researchers can measure a protein-based risk score called the Prognostic Liver Secretome (PLSec) and then receive atorvastatin or usual care as part of the protocol. The team will monitor how statin treatment changes the PLSec signature over time and whether those changes are linked to lower future liver cancer (HCC) risk. Because PLSec can be measured in blood and shifts with treatment, the study uses it as a faster surrogate marker for cancer prevention instead of waiting many years for cancer outcomes. Follow-up includes scheduled clinic visits and periodic blood tests to track the biomarker and overall liver health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could allow clinicians to use a simple blood test to guide statin use and help prevent liver cancer in people with cirrhosis.
How similar studies have gone: Retrospective and laboratory studies suggest statins may lower HCC risk and early data link PLSec changes to reduced HCC, but definitive prospective clinical proof is still limited.
Where this research is happening
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Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hoshida, Yujin — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Hoshida, Yujin
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Liver Cirrhosis Network: Centers for Clinical Research
A multicenter study in people with cirrhosis from different causes (including HIV, NASH, and alcohol-related liver disease) to collect data and samples and test new ways to predict and monitor disease progression.
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Liver Cirrhosis Network: Mayo Clinic's Clinical Research Center
A Mayo Clinic-led project will follow and help people with compensated cirrhosis, using data, imaging, and a big AI tool to predict when complications may happen and test whether a statin can improve outcomes.
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Liver Cirrhosis Network: Longitudinal and Clinical Trial Studies
A network-wide NIH study focused on understanding cirrhosis better to prevent complications and improve care for people with advanced liver disease.
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Liver Cirrhosis Network: Coordinating Data for Better Care
A national effort is coordinating data to improve care for people with advanced liver disease and its complications.
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Liver Cirrhosis Network coordinating cirrhosis studies and a rosuvastatin trial
This project follows people with liver cirrhosis over time and tests whether the cholesterol medicine rosuvastatin helps people with cirrhosis.
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First-in-class treatment for liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension
A new therapy called XFB19 aims to reduce liver inflammation and scarring in people with advanced liver disease and portal hypertension.
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.