Immunotherapy combo shows promise in early liver cancer trial

NCT ID NCT04658147

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This early-phase trial tests whether giving the immunotherapy drugs nivolumab (Opdivo) with or without relatlimab before and after surgery is safe and feasible for people with liver cancer that can be removed. About 31 participants will receive the drugs before surgery, then continue for up to a year after. The goal is to see if this approach helps control the cancer and allows more patients to proceed with surgery.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: nivolumab (Opdivo) with or without relatlimab
What this could lead to: If successful, this could point toward a new treatment approach that combines immunotherapy with surgery to control liver cancer and reduce recurrence.
What could go wrong: This is a very early Phase 1 trial with only 31 participants, so results may not apply broadly. Immunotherapies can cause serious side effects, and the added benefit of relatlimab is unknown.

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

As listed by the trial registrant

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

HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA

Contacts and locations

Locations

Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center

Baltimore, Maryland, 21231, United States
The Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center

Columbus, Ohio, 43210-1002, United States

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