Liver transplant with chemo-radiotherapy for unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma

Liver Transplant Combined With Neoadjuvant Chemo-radiotherapy in the Treatment of Unresectable Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma. A Prospective Multicenter Study.

Hospital Vall d'Hebron · NCT04378023

This study is testing if liver transplants combined with chemotherapy and radiation can help younger patients with inoperable hilar cholangiocarcinoma live longer and stay cancer-free.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment34 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 70 Years
SexAll
SponsorHospital Vall d'Hebron (other)
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy
Locations1 site (Barcelona)
Trial IDNCT04378023 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This multicenter study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of liver transplantation combined with neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy in patients diagnosed with unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Patients aged 70 or younger with tumors ≤3cm and no evidence of metastases will be included. The primary endpoint is overall survival at 1, 3, and 5 years post-transplant, while secondary endpoints include recurrence-free survival and the rate of patients who undergo transplantation. The study will involve comprehensive radiological evaluations to confirm eligibility.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are patients aged 70 or younger with unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma ≤3cm in diameter and no evidence of metastases.

Not a fit: Patients with prior chemotherapy or radiotherapy, metastases, or other concurrent cancers may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve survival rates for patients with unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

How similar studies have performed: While this approach is innovative, similar studies have shown promise in improving outcomes for patients with unresectable cancers through combined therapies.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Willing and able to provide written consent form
* Age ≤ 70 years-old
* ECOG 0 or 1
* Unresectable hCCA ≤3cm in radial diameter

Exclusion Criteria:

* Those patients who have received chemotherapy or radiotherapy previously out of protocol
* Liver, extrahepatic or lymph node metastases
* Previous intent of surgical resection or percutaneous biopsy
* Previous or concurrent cancer that is different in primary site or histology from adenocarcinoma, except cervical carcinoma in situ, localized prostate cancer, treated basal cell carcinoma, superficial bladder tumors (Ta, Tis, T1). Any cancer curatively treated 5 years prior to entry is permitted.
* Infection no controlled

Where this trial is running

Barcelona

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.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Unresectable Cholangiocarcinoma

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.