Statin drug tested to stop liver cancer in cirrhosis patients

NCT ID NCT02968810

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: National Cancer Institute (NCI) Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jul 22, 2026 · Updated 3 times

Summary

This phase 2 trial tests whether simvastatin, a widely used cholesterol-lowering drug, can prevent liver cancer in 52 adults with liver cirrhosis. Participants take simvastatin and are monitored with blood tests and imaging to see if cancer-related markers change. The goal is to see if this drug can slow or stop the progression from cirrhosis to liver cancer.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: simvastatin (a statin drug used to lower cholesterol)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a way to lower liver cancer risk in people with cirrhosis.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase trial with only 52 participants. It measures biological markers, not actual cancer rates, so results may not lead to a proven prevention strategy.

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.

cirrhosis of liver Fibrosis hepatocellular carcinoma prevention target

As listed by the trial registrant

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

CIRRHOSIS HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA

Contacts and locations

Locations

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Los Angeles, California, 90048, United States
Centro Comprensivo de Cancer de UPR

San Juan, 00927, Puerto Rico
MedStar Georgetown University Hospital

Washington D.C., District of Columbia, 20007, United States
Northwestern University

Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States
University of Puerto Rico

San Juan, 00936, Puerto Rico

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