Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Phase 4 Interventional Ages 18 to 75

Targeted therapy after surgery for liver cancer

Official title: VETC-based Precision Adjuvant Therapy for Postoperative Hepatocellular Carcinoma: a Prospective Multicenter Cohort Study

Run by Tongji Hospital · NCT06311929 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing if a combination of two drugs can help patients with a specific type of liver cancer who are at high risk of their cancer coming back after surgery.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 4
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 75 Years
SexAll
Enrollment300 (estimated)
SponsorTongji Hospital
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Wuhan, Hubei)
StatusRecruiting
StartedApril 1, 2024
Main results expectedDecember 31, 2027
Study endsDecember 31, 2028
Registry record updatedMay 7, 2024
Trial IDNCT06311929 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are adults aged 18-75 with a confirmed diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma and the presence of VETC vascular pattern.

Probably not a fit

Patients with serious organic diseases or those who have received prior treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effectiveness of a combination of PD-1 monoclonal antibody and lenvatinib as adjuvant therapy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who exhibit a specific vascular pattern known as VETC. Previous research indicates that VETC-positive patients have a higher risk of postoperative recurrence, and this study aims to validate the therapeutic approach to improve their prognosis. By enrolling patients who meet specific criteria, the study will assess the impact of the treatment on recurrence rates and overall survival. This multicenter prospective cohort study is designed to provide insights into effective treatment strategies for this high-risk population.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce postoperative recurrence rates in patients with VETC-positive hepatocellular carcinoma.

How similar studies have gone: While previous studies have identified VETC as a significant factor in prognosis, this specific combination therapy has not been extensively tested, making this approach novel.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Aged 18-75.
2. No previous local or systemic treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma.
3. Child-Pugh liver function score ≤ 7.
4. ECOG PS 0-1.
5. No serious organic diseases of the heart, lungs, brain, kidneys, etc.
6. Pathologic type is hepatocellular carcinoma.
7. Confirmation of the presence of VETC vascular pattern by CD34 immunohistochemical staining.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Pregnant and lactating women.
2. Suffering from a condition that interferes with the absorption, distribution, metabolism, or clearance of the study drug (e.g., severe vomiting, chronic diarrhea, intestinal obstruction, impaired absorption, etc.).
3. A history of gastrointestinal bleeding within the previous 4 weeks or a definite predisposition to gastrointestinal bleeding (e.g., known locally active ulcer lesions, fecal occult blood ++ or more, or gastroscopy if persistent fecal occult blood +) that has not been targeted, or other conditions that may have caused gastrointestinal bleeding (e.g., severe fundoplication/esophageal varices), as determined by the investigator.
4. Active infection.
5. Other significant clinical and laboratory abnormalities that affect the safety evaluation.
6. Inability to follow the study protocol for treatment or follow up as scheduled.

Where it's running

  • Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
    Wuhan, Hubei, China
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.