New combo targets liver tumors in hard-to-treat colorectal cancer
NCT ID NCT06607458
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether giving a strong chemotherapy directly to the liver, followed by standard cancer pills and an injection, works better than the standard treatment alone. It is for people whose colorectal cancer has spread mostly to the liver and is no longer responding to other treatments. About 90 participants will receive either the liver-directed therapy plus standard drugs or just the standard drugs, and researchers will track how long the liver tumors stay under control.
Why investors are watching
Delcath Systems is running a Phase 2 trial testing whether adding a liver-directed high-dose chemotherapy procedure to a standard drug combination improves disease control in patients with colorectal cancer that has spread to the liver. For a micro-cap company, this readout matters because a positive result could validate its core technology and support further development, while a negative result would leave the company without a key clinical catalyst.
If it works: A positive result could strengthen Delcath's position in liver-directed cancer therapy and potentially support regulatory discussions or partnerships. The company could gain credibility with a larger market for its procedure.
If it fails: The trial could fail to show added benefit, or the procedure could prove too risky or hard to tolerate. Trials in refractory cancer often fail, and a negative readout could hurt the company's prospects and share value.
AI-written from the trial record. Speculative, and not investment advice.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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About 90 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Aug 2025
- Expected to finish
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Oct 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Histologically confirmed diagnosis of metastatic colorectal cancer and histologically or cytologically proven CRC metastases that occupy 50% or less of the liver parenchyma. * Patient has liver-dominant metastatic disease. Liver-dominant is defined as the majority of total tumor burden is located in the liver, and the liver lesions are not resectable or treatable with ablation or are associated with extrahepatic disease that makes surgical intervention non-curative. * Disease in the liver must be measurable (per RECIST v.1.1 guidelines) by computed tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). * If there is evidence of extrahepatic metastatic disease, it is limited, and the life-threatening component of disease is in the liver. Limited extrahepatic disease is defined in this protocol as follows: up to 5 tumor lesions in the lung with longest diameter not greater than 2 cm and/or up to 5 lymph nodes that measure 2 cm or less per lesion; solitary lesions definitively treated with no sign of progression in the last 6 months. * Scans used to determine eligibility (CT scan of the chest/abdomen/pelvis and MRI of the liver) must be performed within 28 days prior to randomization. * Previous treatment and progressed on or following, or intolerant to, fluoropyrimidine-, oxaliplatin- and irinotecan-based chemotherapy, an anti-VEGF biological therapy, and/or an anti-EGFR therapy if RAS wild-type. * ECOG PS of 0-1 within 14 days prior to randomization. Exclusion Criteria: * Child-Pugh Class B or C cirrhosis or evidence of clinically significant portal hypertension by history, endoscopy, or radiologic studies (large abdominal varices, prior history of varices by endoscopy). * New York Heart Association functional classification II, III or IV or active cardiac condition(s), including unstable coronary syndromes (unstable or severe angina, recent myocardial infarction), worsening or new-onset congestive heart failure, significant arrhythmias, or severe valvular disease that create(s) undue risks of undergoing general anesthesia. * History or evidence of clinically significant pulmonary disease that precludes the use of general anesthesia. * History of bleeding disorders, presence of brain metastases, or other intracranial abnormalities found on baseline radiologic imaging that would put them at risk for bleeding with anti-coagulation. * Known varices at risk of bleeding, including medium or large esophageal or gastric varices, active peptic ulcer, or history of recent hemoptysis. * Active second malignancy, or has history of recently definitively treated invasive cancer in the past 2 years prior to enrolment with the exception of non-melanoma skin cancer. * Peritoneal lesions or large abdominal masses. * Use of immunosuppressive drugs. * Inability to temporarily stop chronic anti-coagulation therapy. * Active bacterial infections with systemic manifestations. * Active viral infection, including Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C infection. NOTE: Patients with anti-hepatitis B core antibody (HBc) positive, or hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) but DNA negative are allowed exception(s). * Severe allergic reaction to iodine contrast that cannot be controlled by premedication with antihistamines and steroids. * History of or known hypersensitivity to melphalan or the components of the melphalan/HDS system. * History of known hypersensitivity to heparin or the presence of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. * Uncontrolled endocrine disorder including diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, or hyperthyroidism. * Received anti-cancer therapy including radiotherapy or investigational agent for any indication ≤ 30 days prior to randomization * Previous treatment with trifluridine-tipiracil. * History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar composition to trifluridine/tipiracil or any of its excipients. * Hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, total lactase deficiency or glucosegalactose malabsorption. * History of allergic reactions or hypersensitivity to bevacizumab or any of its excipients. * History of hypersensitivity to Chinese Hamster Ovary cell products or other recombinant human or humanized antibodies. * Contraindications to bevacizumab, including uncontrolled hypertension, history of active fistula or bowel perforation (unless in the setting of a resected primary), history of CVA or arterial thrombotic event in the last 1 year, or history of venous thrombotic event in the last 30 days. * Evidence of hepatic vein or portal vein thrombosis * Prior chemoembolization or radioembolization to the liver or prior hepatic arterial infusion therapy
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The study's own enquiry address
This study publishes an address for enquiries. See it below .
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The places running it
14 sites in 8 countries. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
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Study contacts
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Contact
Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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City of Hope
RECRUITINGDuarte, California, 91010, United States
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Clinical Hospital Center "Bezanijska Kosa"
RECRUITINGBelgrade, 11080, Serbia
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Czech Republic - University Hospital
RECRUITINGPrague, Czechia
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Helios Park-Klinikum Leipzig
RECRUITINGLeipzig, Germany
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Hospital Clinic Barcelona
RECRUITINGBarcelona, Spain
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Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah
RECRUITINGSalt Lake City, Utah, 84112, United States
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Instiuto Europeo de Oncologia
RECRUITINGMilan, Italy
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Izmir Ekonomi
RECRUITINGIzmir, Turkey (Türkiye)
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Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC)
RECRUITINGLeiden, Netherlands
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Medizinische Hochschule Hannover
RECRUITINGHanover, Germany
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Moffitt Cancer Center
RECRUITINGTampa, Florida, 33612, United States
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Ochsner Clinic Foundation
RECRUITINGNew Orleans, Louisiana, 70121, United States
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The University of Kansas Clinical Research Center
RECRUITINGFairway, Kansas, 66205, United States
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UCLA Hematology/Oncology-Santa Monica
RECRUITINGSanta Monica, California, 90404, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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