Recruiting

Stopping cancer return after liver surgery: one treatment or close monitoring?

Plain-English translation of NCT07417397 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated February 2026 · Translation generated June 2026 · How we translate trials

Phase 3 — Testing in thousands of people, comparing the treatment against what doctors currently use. This is the last big step before approval.

What is this trial?

After surgery to remove liver cancer, many patients face a high risk that the cancer will return. This trial is testing whether a procedure called transarterial chemoembolization (TACE)—where medicine is delivered directly to the liver through an artery—can reduce that risk. You would be randomly assigned to either receive this treatment once after surgery, or to have intensive monitoring visits instead.

Even after successful surgery, about 70% of liver cancer patients experience cancer recurrence within 5 years. Different countries have conflicting recommendations about whether this medication helps prevent that recurrence, so this large study aims to provide clear evidence about whether it truly works.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you have been diagnosed with liver cancer and had surgery to remove it
your surgical team confirmed there is no remaining tumor visible on imaging 4 to 8 weeks after surgery
you have at least one high-risk factor for cancer recurrence (such as a large tumor, multiple tumors, or cancer cells found in blood vessels)
your liver function is still good (Child-Pugh class A or B)
you have not received any other cancer treatments before surgery

You likely don't qualify if…

you have been diagnosed with a different cancer within the past 5 years
you have severe liver disease complications, such as fluid buildup in your abdomen or chest, or hepatic encephalopathy
you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a known allergy to the medication
you have had a serious infection within 4 weeks before the study, or have received other systemic cancer treatments
you are unable to attend regular follow-up visits or comply with study requirements

What participation looks like

If you join this trial, you will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive the liver artery treatment once, performed through a catheter inserted into an artery (similar to an angiogram procedure). The other group will have close monitoring visits with imaging and blood tests, but no treatment. Both groups will be followed over time to track whether cancer returns, with regular visits and imaging scans to monitor your health.

Stopping cancer return after liver surgery: one treatment or close monitoring?

What is this trial?

Do you qualify?

What participation looks like

Trial locations(1 site)