Proton beams vs X-Rays: which is better for liver cancer?

NCT ID NCT03186898

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: NRG Oncology Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 02, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This phase III trial tests whether proton radiation therapy works better than standard photon (X-ray) radiation for people with liver cancer that cannot be removed by surgery or has come back. The study involves 115 participants and compares overall survival and side effects. Proton therapy may stop more precisely at the tumor, possibly sparing healthy tissue.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Proton radiation therapy
What this could lead to: If successful, this could establish proton therapy as a better standard treatment for liver cancer, potentially improving survival and reducing damage to healthy organs.
What could go wrong: This is a mid-stage trial with only 115 participants, so results may not apply to all liver cancer patients. The study is not yet complete, and the expected benefit may not be confirmed.

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

As listed by the trial registrant

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

RECURRENT HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA STAGE III HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA AJCC V7 UNRESECTABLE HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA

Contacts and locations

Locations

Case Western Reserve University

Cleveland, Ohio, 44106, United States
Corewell Health Beaumont Troy Hospital

Troy, Michigan, 48085, United States
Corewell Health Dearborn Hospital

Dearborn, Michigan, 48124, United States
Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital

Royal Oak, Michigan, 48073, United States
Emory Proton Therapy Center

Atlanta, Georgia, 30308, United States
Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital

Atlanta, Georgia, 30342, United States
Emory University Hospital Midtown

Atlanta, Georgia, 30308, United States
Emory University Hospital/Winship Cancer Institute

Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, United States
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

Seattle, Washington, 98109, United States
Maryland Proton Treatment Center

Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, United States
Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center

Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Basking Ridge

Basking Ridge, New Jersey, 07920, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Bergen

Montvale, New Jersey, 07645, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

New York, New York, 10065, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Commack

Commack, New York, 11725, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth

Middletown, New Jersey, 07748, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Nassau

Uniondale, New York, 11553, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Westchester

East White Plains, New York, 10604, United States
New York Proton Center

New York, New York, 10035, United States
Northwestern Medicine Cancer Center Warrenville

Warrenville, Illinois, 60555, United States
Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

Columbus, Ohio, 43210, United States
UT MD Anderson Cancer Center

Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
University of Cincinnati Cancer Center-UC Medical Center

Cincinnati, Ohio, 45219, United States
University of Cincinnati Cancer Center-West Chester

West Chester, Ohio, 45069, United States
University of Maryland/Greenebaum Cancer Center

Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, United States
University of Washington Medical Center - Montlake

Seattle, Washington, 98195, United States
Washington University School of Medicine

St Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States

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