Advanced multiparametric MRI to better describe liver cancer (HCC)
Official title: Multiparametric MRI for Optimized Imaging-based Characterization and Therapy Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Run by University Hospital Muenster · NCT06999174 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will test whether advanced multiparametric MRI scans can better describe tumor features and help guide treatment for adults with confirmed or suspected hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who are scheduled for TACE or SIRT.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 128 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University Hospital Muenster Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Münster) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | May 1, 2025 |
| Main results expected | May 1, 2027 |
| Study ends | May 1, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | July 2, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT06999174 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults (≥18 years) with confirmed or suspected HCC who can safely undergo liver MRI and are scheduled to receive TACE or SIRT as part of standard care.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with MRI contraindications, severe renal impairment (eGFR <30), pregnancy or breastfeeding, or those not receiving locoregional therapy are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this imaging-focused protocol.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a prospective, single-center observational protocol using standardized multiparametric MRI (including DWI, DCE-MRI, and quantitative T1/T2 mapping) to capture functional imaging biomarkers of hepatocellular carcinoma. Adult patients with confirmed or suspected HCC who are eligible for liver MRI and scheduled for locoregional therapies (TACE or SIRT) will undergo the mpMRI as part of routine care. Imaging findings will be correlated with clinical, pathological, and treatment response data to explore links between MRI features and outcomes. No investigational drugs or study-specific interventions are given; radiological reads follow expert protocols and pre-specified statistical analysis plans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide more accurate, noninvasive tumor characterization and help personalize locoregional treatment decisions for patients with HCC.
How similar studies have gone: Similar multiparametric MRI techniques have shown promise in single-center and smaller studies for improving liver tumor characterization, but evidence for widespread clinical adoption remains limited.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥18 years * Confirmed or suspected diagnosis of HCC * Scheduled to receive TACE or SIRT as part of standard clinical care * Eligibility for liver MRI * Willing and able to provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Contraindications to MRI (e.g., pacemakers, ferromagnetic implants, severe claustrophobia) * Known allergy or intolerance to gadolinium-based contrast agents * Renal insufficiency with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) \<30 mL/min/1.73m² * Pregnancy or breastfeeding * Inability to provide informed consent
Where it's running
-
Clinic of Radiology, University of Münster
Münster, Germany Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Max Masthoff, MD
- Email: max.masthoff@ukmuenster.de
- Phone: +492518343018
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.