Engineered immune cells take on liver cancer in early trial

NCT ID NCT03132792

Completed Disease control Sponsor: Adaptimmune Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This early-phase trial tested a new approach for advanced liver cancer that has not responded to standard treatments. Researchers took participants' own immune cells, modified them in a lab to target a protein called AFP found on cancer cells, and infused them back after a short course of chemotherapy. The main goals were to check safety and find the right dose, with 39 adults enrolled.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: genetically modified T cells (AFPᶜ³³²T cells)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a new treatment option for advanced liver cancer that has not responded to other therapies.
What could go wrong: This is an early phase 1 trial with only 39 participants, so safety and effectiveness are not yet proven. There are risks of serious side effects from the chemotherapy and the modified T cells.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

hepatocellular carcinoma Liver Neoplasms Neoplasm Metastasis pediatric hepatocellular carcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

AFP EXPRESSING TUMORS HEPATOCELLULAR CANCER

Contacts and locations

Locations

Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre

Glasgow, United Kingdom
Centre Eugène Marquis

Rennes, France
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre

Seattle, Washington, 98109, United States
Guy's Hospital

London, SE1 9RT, United Kingdom
Institute Gustave Roussy

Villejuif, France
MD Anderson Cancer Center

Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
Massachusetts General Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States
Mayo Clinic Arizona

Phoenix, Arizona, 85054, United States
Mayo Clinic Clinical Trial Referral Office

Rochester, Minnesota, 55905, United States
NIHR UCLH Clinical Research

London, W1T7HA, United Kingdom
Paoli Calmettes Institute

Marseille, France
SCCA Immunotherapy Trials Intake

Seattle, Washington, 98109, United States
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust

Manchester, M20 4BX, United Kingdom
UCLA

Los Angeles, California, 90095, United States
USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center

Los Angeles, California, 90033, United States
University Hospital of Barcelona

Barcelona, 08036, Spain
University Hospital of Navarra

Pamplona, 31008, Spain
University of Maryland, Greenebaum Cancer Center

Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, United States
University of Miami

Miami, Florida, 33136, United States
Washington University - School of Medicine

St Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States
Winship Cancer Institute - Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, United States

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