Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 18 and up

Comparing two treatments for small liver cancer in patients with low albumin levels

Official title: Randomized Study of Therapshere 90-Yittrium Transarterial Radioembolization Versus Microwave Ablation in Small Hepatocellular Carcinoma With Hypoalbuminemia

Run by Ochsner Health System · NCT05953961 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing which treatment, either 90-Yttrium Therasphere or microwave ablation, works better for people with small liver cancer and low albumin levels to see which one helps keep the cancer from getting worse in the first year.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment50 (estimated)
SponsorOchsner Health System
Academic / other
Locations1 site (New Orleans, Louisiana)
StatusRecruiting
StartedAugust 8, 2023
Main results expectedAugust 2026
Study endsJanuary 2027
Registry record updatedAugust 3, 2025
Trial IDNCT05953961 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates include patients with a new diagnosis of solitary, unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma ≤ 3 cm and hypoalbuminemia.

Probably not a fit

Patients with concurrent malignancies or those who are pregnant will not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This clinical trial compares the effectiveness of 90-Yttrium Therasphere transarterial radioembolization (90Y) and microwave ablation (MWA) in patients diagnosed with small, early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who also have hypoalbuminemia. The study focuses on patients with a single tumor of 3 cm or less and aims to determine which treatment lowers the risk of disease progression within the first year after diagnosis. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either 90Y or MWA as their initial treatment, followed by standard care. The trial will enroll 50 participants and will track their outcomes over a one-year observational period.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide insights into more effective treatment options for patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma and low albumin levels.

How similar studies have gone: While there have been studies on both 90Y and MWA separately, this specific comparison in the context of hypoalbuminemia is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* HCC diagnosis according to the Liver Imaging - Reporting Data System (LI-RADS) Criteria as defined in the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases 2018 HCC practice guidelines
* Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score 0 - 1
* Child-Pugh A - B
* Bilirubin \< 2.5 mg/dL
* Creatinine \< 2.0 mg/dL
* No prior liver-directed therapy or systemic therapy for HCC
* Solitary, unresectable HCC ≤ 3cm
* Albumin level \< 3.4 g/dL at HCC diagnosis
* Tumor anatomical location and angiosome amendable to MWA and 90Y

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pregnant women
* Concurrent malignancy

Where it's running

  • Ochsner Main Campus
    New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.