Using ultrasound to assess liver cancer treatment responses

Role of Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (D-CEUS) and Shear-wave Elastography (SWE) in Predicting Response to Locoregional Treatments and Disease Recurrence in Patients Affected by Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)

Not applicable Interventional Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS · NCT05987514

This study is testing if ultrasound scans can help predict how well liver cancer treatments work for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorFondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS Academic / other
Locations1 site (Roma)
Trial IDNCT05987514 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates how pre-treatment ultrasound parameters can predict the response to locoregional treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It involves enrolling 50 patients who will undergo contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and shear wave elastography (SWE) before and after their treatment. The primary goal is to correlate these ultrasound findings with the one-month response to therapy, while secondary objectives include identifying ultrasound parameters that may predict overall and disease-free survival. Patients will also be monitored through regular follow-ups including imaging studies.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with a single nodule of hepatocellular carcinoma who are scheduled for locoregional treatment.

Not a fit: Patients with liver failure, previous treatments for HCC, or those with certain heart conditions may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could improve the ability to predict treatment responses in patients with liver cancer, leading to better personalized treatment plans.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of using ultrasound parameters for treatment response prediction is gaining interest, this specific study's methodology is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria adult patients with single nodule hepatocellular carcinoma detectable with B-mode ultrasound and scheduled for locoregional treatment

Exclusion Criteria:

* liver failure
* previous treatments fo hepatocellular carcinoma
* chronic or acute heart failure
* known ipersesitivity to ultrasound contrast agent
* pregnancy and lactation

Where this trial is running

Roma

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 Hepatocellular Carcinoma
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.