Liver cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer death worldwide, with most cases arising in people who have cirrhosis from hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or fatty liver disease. Treatment depends heavily on how much the cancer has spread and how well the liver still works, since many patients have underlying liver disease that limits what therapies they can tolerate.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing combinations of immune checkpoint inhibitors with VEGF blockers, CAR-T cells engineered to target liver tumors, drugs that address the tumor's surrounding blood vessels and immune environment, and ways to deliver chemotherapy or radiation directly into liver tumors. Researchers are also studying earlier detection methods and prevention strategies in high-risk groups.
Immunotherapy combinations
Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab became the first treatment to beat sorafenib in advanced liver cancer and is now a standard option. Trials are testing other checkpoint inhibitor pairs and adding treatments that target the tumor blood supply.
Localized delivery
Treatments that deliver radiation or chemotherapy beads directly into liver tumors through blood vessels can destroy tumors while sparing healthy tissue. Studies are comparing different delivery methods and testing them earlier in treatment.
CAR-T and cell therapy
Early trials are testing CAR-T cells that target proteins common on liver cancer cells. These engineered immune cells have shown promise in blood cancers and are now being adapted for solid tumors.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on liver function scores, extent of tumor spread, prior treatments, hepatitis status, and whether tumors can be measured on scans.
What types of trials are currently open
- Immunotherapy trials — Testing checkpoint inhibitors alone or in combination, often comparing them to standard treatments like sorafenib or lenvatinib.
- Targeted therapy trials — Testing drugs that block specific growth signals in liver cancer cells or cut off their blood supply.
- Localized treatment trials — Testing radioembolization, chemoembolization, or ablation techniques that treat tumors directly in the liver.
- Combination trials — Testing whether combining systemic drugs with localized treatments works better than either approach alone.
- Prevention trials — Testing whether drugs can prevent liver cancer in people with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis.
Recently added Liver Cancer trials
Liver Metastasis in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Regulatory Mechanisms and Clinical Significance
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis, and liver metastasis is a major contributor to treatment failure and reduced survival. Due to the complex mechanisms underlying tumor progression and metastasis, effective early diagnostic biomarkers and targeted therapeutic strategies remain limited. This study aims to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying PDAC progression and liver metastasis, identify potential biomarkers for early risk prediction and prognostic assessment, and explore novel therapeutic targets to facilitate precision diagnosis and treatment. Participants will be required to: * Provide histopathologically confirmed primary PDAC tissue and liver metastatic tissue, together with the corresponding adjacent non-tumor pancreatic tissue * Undergo regular follow-up visits for monitoring and data collection. * Allow access to their medical records for relevant clinical information.
Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) and Stereotactic Body Radiation (SBRT) in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) Prior to Liver Transplantation
In this randomised study it should be investigated, whether and to what extent standard TACE treatment combined with additional stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) leads to improved outcomes for patients with HCC when used as a bridging therapy prior to liver transplantation.
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