Combining Y-90 and SBRT for liver cancer treatment

A Phase 1 Study of Combined Y-90 Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (Y-90 SIRT) and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) in Hepatic Malignancy.

Phase 1 Interventional University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center · NCT04518748

This study is testing whether combining two types of radiation therapy, Y-90 and SBRT, can safely improve treatment for people with liver cancer.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 1
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment70 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsradiation
Locations1 site (Ann Arbor, Michigan)
Trial IDNCT04518748 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the combination of Yttrium-90 (Y-90) Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT) followed by Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) for treating liver malignancies. Y-90 SIRT delivers radiation internally to tumors using radioactive beads, while SBRT targets tumors externally with precise radiation beams. The study aims to assess the safety and side effects of this combined approach and utilizes Y-90 PET-CT imaging for better treatment planning. This is the first time this imaging technique will be incorporated into the planning for SBRT in this context.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma or metastatic liver cancer who meet specific inclusion criteria.

Not a fit: Patients with untreated or progressive disease outside of the liver may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could enhance treatment efficacy for patients with liver cancer by improving tumor targeting and minimizing side effects.

How similar studies have performed: While Y-90 SIRT and SBRT are established treatments, this combination approach is novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma or metastatic liver cancer. Hepatocellular carcinoma is defined as having at least one of the following:

  * Biopsy proven hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); or
  * A discrete hepatic tumor(s) as defined by the Barcelona imaging criteria.

Metastatic liver cancer is defined as having:

o pathological confirmation of any metastatic disease with a new or enlarging liver lesion consistent with metastases. The targeted lesion does not need to be biopsied if the patient has a known history of metastatic disease

* Patients must not have known untreated or progressive disease outside of the liver
* At least one lesion \>2 cm diameter or 4 cc volume
* Patients must have a life expectancy of at least 6 months.
* Patients must be 18 years of age or older
* All men, as well as women of childbearing potential, must agree to use effective contraception throughout the study and for 90 days following treatment.
* Patients must understand and be willing to sign an informed consent form approved for this purpose by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the University of Michigan Medical Center indicating that they are aware of the investigational aspects of the treatment and the potential risks.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Inability to lie still for imaging studies (e.g. PET/CT)
* Pregnancy or nursing females or refusal to use birth control in patients capable of reproduction.
* Patients with known allergy or contraindication to intravenous iodinated contrast agents
* Patients with an allergy or contraindication to MRI on MRI contrast (Eovist or Gadolinium)
* Contraindication to Theraspheres

  * Tc-99m macroaggregated albumin (MAA) hepatic arterial perfusion scintigraphy showing any deposition to the gastrointestinal tract that may not be corrected by angiographic techniques
  * Shunting of blood to the lungs that could result in delivery of greater than 30 Gy to the lungs.
  * Hepatic artery catheterization contraindication; such as patients with vascular abnormalities or bleeding diathesis;
  * Bilirubin \>2.0 at baseline
  * Occlusion of the main portal vein
* Contraindication to radiation therapy
* Note: Patients who have an increase in bilirubin \>1.0 from the time of Y90 to SBRT or his/her bilirubin goes above 2.5 after Y90 will not be eligible for SBRT.

Where this trial is running

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Liver MalignancyYtrium-90Selective Internal Radiation TherapyStereotactic Body Radiation Therapy
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.