New combination treatment for advanced liver cancer that cannot be surgically removed

Plain-English translation of NCT07521852 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated July 2026 · Translation generated August 2026 · How we translate trials

Phase 2 — Testing in a bigger group (up to a few hundred people) to see if the treatment actually works and is still safe.

What is this trial?

This trial is testing a combination of three treatments for a type of advanced liver cancer called hepatocellular carcinoma. The main new medication being studied is CVM-1118, which will be given together with sintilimab (an immunotherapy drug that helps your immune system fight cancer) and TACE (a minimally invasive procedure where medicine is delivered directly to the tumor through a catheter). Researchers want to see if this combination can help people whose liver cancer cannot be treated with surgery or transplant.

Liver cancer is difficult to treat when it cannot be surgically removed. This trial exists to find out whether combining a new drug with existing proven treatments can work better than current options to help people live longer and with better quality of life.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are at least 18 years old
you have been diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (confirmed by biopsy, blood tests, or imaging)
your cancer has not spread outside the liver
your cancer cannot be treated with surgery, transplant, or ablation (burning away the tumor)
your liver function is in good condition (classified as Child-Pugh Class A)
you have adequate kidney, bone marrow, and blood clotting function based on blood tests

You likely don't qualify if…

you have cancer that has spread to other parts of your body outside the liver
you are allergic to any of the study medications
you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or unwilling to use contraception for 6 months after treatment ends
you have severe liver damage or very poor liver function
you are unable to attend regular clinic visits or follow the study schedule

What participation looks like

You would receive the oral medication CVM-1118 twice daily by mouth, an immunotherapy injection (sintilimab) every three weeks, and up to four minimally invasive catheter-based procedures (TACE) to deliver medicine directly to your tumors. You would have regular clinic visits for blood tests, imaging scans, and check-ups to monitor how you are responding to treatment and manage any side effects. The study takes place in China and involves close monitoring of how the medications work in your body.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Aug 2, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(2 sites)

China

MengChao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian

Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality

View full record on ClinicalTrials.gov