Personalized treatment for liver cancer using Holmium-166 radioembolization

Individualized Dosimetry for Holmium-166-radioembolization in Patients With Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma; a Multi-center, Interventional, Non-randomized, Non-comparative, Open Label, Early Phase II Study

This study is testing if a personalized treatment using Holmium-166 radioembolization can help people with liver cancer feel better by targeting the tumor more effectively while protecting healthy tissue.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 30 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: UMC Utrecht (Academic / other)
• Drugs / interventions: radiation
• Locations: 1 site (Utrecht)
• Trial ID: NCT05114148 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of individualized dosimetry for Holmium-166 radioembolization in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). By tailoring treatment plans based on specific dosimetry rather than a standard one-size-fits-all approach, the study aims to optimize the absorbed dose to the tumor while minimizing exposure to healthy liver tissue. The research builds on previous findings from the HEPAR Primary study, which established safety thresholds for treatment. The goal is to determine if this personalized approach can lead to better treatment outcomes compared to traditional methods.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and over with a confirmed diagnosis of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma and no curative treatment options available.

Not a fit: Patients with resectable tumors or those who do not meet the eligibility criteria for individualized dosimetry may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could improve treatment outcomes for patients with unresectable liver cancer.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promise with individualized treatment approaches in similar contexts, but this specific method is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

In order to be eligible to participate in this study, a subject must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Patients must have given written informed consent.
2. Female or male aged 18 years and over.
3. Diagnosis of HCC established according to the Netherlands HCC guideline criteria (in line with American AASLD criteria): nodule \>1 cm in a patient at risk for HCC, with combination of arterial hypervascularity and venous or delayed phase wash-out on multiphase CT-scan or MRI-scan.2, 4 LR-5 and LR- 4 based on Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System can be included based on discretion of the principal investigator.
4. No curative treatment options (resection, transplant, or in case of solitary tumor \<5 cm, RFA).
5. Life expectancy of at least 6 months.
6. ECOG Performance status 0-1 (Table 2).
7. Liver-dominant disease (maximum 5 lung nodules all ≤1.0 cm, solitary clinically stable adrenal metastasis, and mesenteric or portal lymph nodes all ≤2.0 cm are accepted).
8. Child-Pugh class A5-6 or B7.
9. At least one measurable liver lesion according to the modified RECIST criteria.(26)
10. Negative pregnancy test for women of childbearing potential. Female patients of childbearing potential should use a highly effective acceptable method of contraception (oral contraceptives, barrier methods, approved contraceptive implant, long-term injectable contraception, intrauterine device or tubal ligation) or should be more than 1 year postmenopausal or surgically sterile during their participation in this study (from the time they sign the consent form), to prevent pregnancy.

Exclusion Criteria:

A potential subject who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:

1. Evidence of significant extrahepatic disease (MRI-scan liver and multiphase abdominal CT as well as a thoracic CT are routinely performed at screening).
2. Hepatic radiation therapy within the last 4 weeks before the start of study therapy.
3. Previous or current treatment with RE. Previous treatment with TACE, surgery, RFA, and previous or current treatment with sorafenib are allowed.
4. Major surgery within 4 weeks or incompletely healed surgical incision before starting study therapy.
5. Serum bilirubin \>34.2 micromole/L (2 mg/dL).
6. Glomerular filtration rate \<35 ml/min.
7. Non-correctable INR \>1.5 in case of femoral approach (as opposed to radial).
8. Leukocytes \<2 109/l and/or platelet count \<50 109/l.
9. Significant cardiac event (e.g. myocardial infarction, superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome, New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification of heart disease ≥2) within 3 months before entry, or presence of cardiac disease that in the opinion of the investigator increases the risk of ventricular arrhythmia.
10. Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
11. Patients suffering from psychic disorders that make a comprehensive judgment impossible, such as psychosis, hallucinations and/or depression.
12. Patients who are declared incapacitated.
13. Previous enrollment in the present study.
14. Male patients who are not surgically sterile or do not use an acceptable method of contraception during their participation in this study (from the time they sign the consent form), to prevent pregnancy in a partner.
15. Evidence of untreated, clinically significant grade 3 portal hypertension (i.e. large varices at oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy). In these cases, therapy with non-selective beta-blocker (propranolol) or rubber band ligation should be instituted according to accepted guidelines. In case of small varices, prophylactic propranolol is advised.
16. Portal vein thrombosis (tumor and/or bland) of the main branch (diagnosed on contrast enhanced transaxial images). Involvement of the right or left portal vein branches and more distal is accepted.
17. Untreated active hepatitis. In case of detectable viral HBV load, appropriate treatment should be instituted.
18. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS).
19. Body weight over 150 kg (because of maximum table load).
20. Severe allergy for intravenous contrast used (Visipaque®)(because of CT evaluation, pre-treatment angiography and treatment angiography).
21. Lung shunt \>30 Gy, as calculated using scout dose SPECT/CT. Uncorrectable extrahepatic deposition of scout dose activity. Activity in the falciform ligament, portal lymph nodes and gallbladder is accepted.

Where this trial is running

Utrecht

• UMC Utrecht — Utrecht, Netherlands (Recruiting)

Conditions Hepatocellular Carcinoma Non-resectable