Abbreviated non-contrast MRI versus ultrasound for finding liver cancer in people with cirrhosis
Abbreviated Magnetic Resonance Imaging vs Ultrasound Surveillance for Liver Cancer dETection in People at High Risk of Developing Liver Cancer
We will test whether shorter MRI scans without contrast find liver cancer more reliably than routine ultrasound in adults with cirrhosis or otherwise at high risk.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 300 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Oxford Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | radiation |
| Locations | 2 sites (Oxford, Oxon and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06658782 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Adults eligible for six-month ultrasound surveillance for liver cancer will be offered an abbreviated, non-contrast MRI and their MRI results will be compared with routine ultrasound findings to see which method detects more cancers or suspicious nodules. The study enrolls people with cirrhosis (Child-Pugh A or B) from common causes such as alcohol-related liver disease, metabolic steatotic liver disease, chronic hepatitis B or C, and those previously treated for liver cancer who have returned to surveillance. Key exclusions include MRI contraindications, pregnancy, prior liver transplant, prisoners, and participants with indeterminate nodules already requiring MRI/CT. As an observational comparison, detection rates and follow-up imaging or pathology will be used to compare diagnostic performance without introducing experimental treatments.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults (18+) with cirrhosis (Child-Pugh A or B) or people previously treated for liver cancer who have returned to six-month surveillance and who have at least a 3% annual HCC risk by aMAP or are judged eligible for ultrasound surveillance and can undergo MRI.
Not a fit: People who cannot have MRI (including pregnancy, certain implants, or severe claustrophobia), those with prior liver transplant, prisoners, or those already known to have indeterminate nodules requiring ongoing MRI/CT follow-up are unlikely to benefit from joining.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, abbreviated non-contrast MRI could detect liver cancer earlier and more accurately than ultrasound, enabling more people to receive curative treatment.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies show conventional MRI detects more liver cancers than ultrasound, and abbreviated non-contrast MRI is promising but remains less validated in large-scale comparisons.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * • Participant is willing and able to give informed consent for participation in the study AND * All genders, aged 18 years or above AND * Eligible for HCC US surveillance in the opinion of the local investigators AND * Child Pugh score A or B AND * Diagnosed with liver cirrhosis due to ArLD, MASLD, chronic hepatitis C, chronic hepatitis B, genetic haemochromatosis AND * Have an annual risk of HCC of at least 3% as determined by the aMAP score OR * Participants with chronic liver disease (with or without cirrhosis) who had successful treatment for HCC, have not had a recurrence and have returned to 6 monthly surveillance with USS Exclusion Criteria: * • Contraindication to MRI * Known allergy / reaction to intravenous gadolinium contrast * Prisoners * Pregnancy or breast feeding * Previous liver transplant * Participants who are known to have indeterminate liver nodules on prior imaging requiring ongoing follow-up with MRI or CT * Previous HCC treated with curative intent and still being followed up with CT or MRI with contrast for possible recurrence * Estimated glomerular filtration rate of \<30 ml/min/1.73m2 * Participant is on haemodialysis * Participants who are unlikely to comply with the study procedures in the opinion of the local investigator * In the view of the clinician, if the participant has a co-morbidity likely to lead to death within the following 12 months
Where this trial is running
Oxford, Oxon and 1 other locations
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trudt — Oxford, Oxon, United Kingdom (Recruiting)
- Bournemouth University Hospital — Bournemouth, United Kingdom (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Michael Pavlides, DPhil
- Email: michael.pavlides@cardiov.ox.ac.uk
- Phone: +44 1865234577
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.