Testing a tiny implant to measure cancer drug effectiveness in the liver

Plain-English translation of NCT07193862 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated June 2026 · Translation generated July 2026 · How we translate trials

Phase 1 — Testing in a small group (usually 20–80 people) to find a safe dose and watch for side effects.

What is this trial?

Researchers are testing a new approach using a tiny implantable microdevice in patients with colorectal cancer that has spread to the liver. The device will be placed directly into your tumor a few days before your scheduled surgery to remove the cancer, and it will release chemotherapy and immune-boosting medications to test how well they work against your specific tumor. The device will then be removed along with your tumor during surgery, and the tissue around it will be studied to see how the medications affected your cancer cells.

Currently, doctors don't have a good way to test how well different cancer drugs will work on an individual patient's liver tumors before starting treatment. This trial aims to fill that gap by using the implant to gather real-time information about drug response, which could eventually help doctors choose the most effective treatments for each patient.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer that has spread to the liver
your liver tumor is at least 2 centimeters in size on imaging scans
you are scheduled to have liver surgery to remove the cancer as part of your standard treatment
you are 18 years of age or older
you have normal blood counts and kidney and liver function based on recent blood tests
you are willing and able to understand and sign the study consent form

You likely don't qualify if…

you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, since the medications used are known to harm a developing baby
the location or size of your tumor makes it unsafe or impossible to place the implant
you have other cancers or disease that might interfere with the study
your cancer has spread beyond the liver or cannot be surgically removed
you are currently breastfeeding, since the medications may pass into breast milk

What participation looks like

If you join this study, a doctor will place the small implant into your liver tumor using a needle-guided technique about 3 to 5 days before your scheduled surgery. The implant will be loaded with cancer-fighting medications that will be released directly into your tumor tissue during this time. When you have your planned surgery to remove the tumor, the doctors will remove the implant along with the cancerous tissue. You will be monitored for 14 days after surgery to make sure the implant placement and removal did not cause any unexpected complications, and samples of tissue around where the implant was will be studied to see how well the medications worked.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jul 21, 2026 · Not medical advice

Testing a tiny implant to measure cancer drug effectiveness in the liver

What is this trial?

Do you qualify?

What participation looks like

Trial locations