New blood test aims to catch liver cancer recurrence early
NCT ID NCT04856046
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study is testing a new blood test that looks for DNA changes to detect if liver cancer has come back or spread after surgery. Researchers at Mayo Clinic are enrolling 36 patients with early-stage liver cancer who are scheduled for surgery. The goal is to see if this test can help doctors monitor patients better and make more informed treatment decisions.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Blood test (multi-target hepatocellular carcinoma blood test, mt-HBT)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this blood test could help doctors detect liver cancer recurrence earlier and personalize treatment, potentially improving outcomes.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase study with only 36 participants. The test may not prove accurate enough for routine use, and results may not apply to all liver cancer patients.
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.
- Participants
-
36 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Nov 2021
- Expected to finish
-
Dec 2029
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
Patients with resectable hepatocellular carcinoma
- Ages
-
18 years and older
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
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: * Patient has planned resection or ablation of suspected hepatocellular carcinoma * Patient is classified as resectable T1/T2 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (solitary tumors less than or equal to 2 cm OR solitary tumors without vascular invasion \> 2cm or solitary tumor with vascular invasion \> 2cm, or multiple tumors, none \> 5cm) OR BCLC stage A (Single lesion of ANY size or 3 nodules or less with each being 3cm or less) Exclusion Criteria: * Patient is younger than 18 years of age * Females who are pregnant or attempt to become pregnant * Patient with significant anemia (hemoglobin \[Hb\] \< 7g/dL) * Patient has known cancer outside of the liver 5 years prior to current blood collection (not including basal cell or squamous cell skin cancers) * Patient has had a biopsy to the target organ and/or lesion within 3 days before blood collection * Patient has had an intervention to completely remove current target pathology * Target pathology is a recurrence of previously treated HCC * Patient has had prior resection or ablation for target lesion * Patient has had prior or active chemotherapy or radiation for target lesion
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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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Mayo Clinic in Rochester
Rochester, Minnesota, 55905, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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