New drug cocktail aims to fight advanced liver cancer

NCT ID NCT03755791

Disease control Sponsor: Exelixis Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This phase 3 study tests whether a combination of cabozantinib (a targeted therapy) and atezolizumab (an immunotherapy) works better than the standard drug sorafenib for people with advanced liver cancer who haven't had prior systemic treatment. About 837 adults are taking part. The goal is to see if the combo can slow cancer growth and extend survival.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: cabozantinib (a targeted therapy) plus atezolizumab (an immunotherapy)
What this could lead to: If successful, this combination could offer a new first-line treatment option for advanced liver cancer, potentially improving how long patients live without their cancer growing.
What could go wrong: This is a large phase 3 trial, but the combination may not prove better than the current standard sorafenib. Side effects from the drugs, such as fatigue, high blood pressure, or immune-related reactions, are possible.

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

Phase 3

Large-scale testing in a bigger group. Usually the last step before a treatment can be approved.

Participants

837 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Jun 2018

Expected to finish

Jul 2026

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

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

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

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Key Inclusion Criteria: * Histological or cytological diagnosis of HCC or clinical diagnosis of HCC in cirrhotic patients by Computed Tomography (CT) or Computed Tomography (MRI) per the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) 2018 or European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) 2018 guidelines. * The participant has disease that is not amenable to a curative treatment approach (eg, transplant, surgery, ablation therapy) or locoregional therapy (eg, TACE). * Measurable disease per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1 as determined by the Investigator. * Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage Category B or C. * Child-Pugh Score of A. * Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 or 1. Key Exclusion Criteria: * Known fibrolamellar carcinoma, sarcomatoid HCC or mixed hepatocellular cholangiocarcinoma. * Prior systemic anticancer therapy for advanced HCC including but not limited to chemotherapy, small molecule kinase inhibitors, and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Participants who have received local intratumoral or arterial chemotherapy are eligible; local anticancer therapy within ≥ 28 days before randomization * Radiation therapy for bone metastasis within 2 weeks, any other radiation therapy within 8 weeks prior to randomization. * Known brain metastases or cranial epidural disease unless adequately treated with radiotherapy and/or surgery (including radiosurgery) and stable for at least 8 weeks prior to randomization. * Concomitant anticoagulation with oral anticoagulants Note: Other protocol defined Inclusion/Exclusion criteria may apply.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

carcinoma hepatocellular carcinoma neoplasm

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Hepatocellular carcinoma

Contacts and locations

Locations

Exelixis Clinical Site #1

Las Vegas, Nevada, 89169, United States
Exelixis Clinical Site #10

Prague, 140 59, Czechia
Exelixis Clinical Site #101

Murmansk, 183047, Russia
Exelixis Clinical Site #102

Liège, 4000, Belgium
Exelixis Clinical Site #103

Barcelona, 08908, Spain
Exelixis Clinical Site #104

Seoul, 03080, South Korea
Exelixis Clinical Site #105

Seoul, 03080, South Korea
Exelixis Clinical Site #106

Singapore, 169610, Singapore
Exelixis Clinical Site #107

Box Hill, Victoria, 3128, Australia
Exelixis Clinical Site #108

Moscow, 115478, Russia
Exelixis Clinical Site #109

San Francisco, California, 94115, United States
Exelixis Clinical Site #11

Kansas City, Missouri, 64128, United States
Exelixis Clinical Site #110

Sankt Gallen, 9007, Switzerland
Exelixis Clinical Site #111

Saint Petersburg, 197758, Russia
Exelixis Clinical Site #112

Los Angeles, California, 90033, United States
Exelixis Clinical Site #113

Curitiba, Paraná, 81520-060, Brazil
Exelixis Clinical Site #114

Busan, 49241, South Korea
Exelixis Clinical Site #115

Basel, 4031, Switzerland
Exelixis Clinical Site #116

Singapore, 308433, Singapore
Exelixis Clinical Site #117

Pasig, 1605, Philippines
Exelixis Clinical Site #118

Cebu City, 6000, Philippines
Exelixis Clinical Site #119

Changhua, 500, Taiwan
Exelixis Clinical Site #12

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599-7600, United States
Exelixis Clinical Site #120

Chicago, Illinois, 60637, United States
Exelixis Clinical Site #121

Jaú, São Paulo, 17210-120, Brazil
Exelixis Clinical Site #122

Dnipro, 49102, Ukraine
Exelixis Clinical Site #123

Kharkiv, 61070, Ukraine
Exelixis Clinical Site #124

Odesa, 65055, Ukraine
Exelixis Clinical Site #125

Chernivtsi, 58013, Ukraine
Exelixis Clinical Site #126

Kogarah, New South Wales, 2217, Australia
Exelixis Clinical Site #127

Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, 16499, South Korea
Exelixis Clinical Site #128

Taipei, 10491, Taiwan
Exelixis Clinical Site #129

London, England, W12 0HS, United Kingdom
Exelixis Clinical Site #13

Seattle, Washington, 98101, United States
Exelixis Clinical Site #130

Montería, Departamento de Córdoba, 230002, Colombia
Exelixis Clinical Site #131

Novara, 28100, Italy
Exelixis Clinical Site #132

Monterrey, Nuevo León, 64000, Mexico
Exelixis Clinical Site #133

Mexico City, 06700, Mexico
Exelixis Clinical Site #134

San Luis Potosí City, 78250, Mexico
Exelixis Clinical Site #135

León, Guanajuato, 37000, Mexico
Exelixis Clinical Site #136

Quezon City, 1102, Philippines
Exelixis Clinical Site #137

Sankt Pölten, Lower Austria, 3100, Austria
Exelixis Clinical Site #138

Uzhhorod, 88000, Ukraine
Exelixis Clinical Site #139

Hat Yai, Changwat Songkhla, 90110, Thailand
Exelixis Clinical Site #14

New Brunswick, New Jersey, 08903, United States
Exelixis Clinical Site #140

Budapest, 1083, Hungary
Exelixis Clinical Site #141

Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, 29038, Mexico
Exelixis Clinical Site #142

Greenslopes, Queensland, 4120, Australia
Exelixis Clinical Site #143

Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
Exelixis Clinical Site #144

Charleston, South Carolina, 29425, United States
Exelixis Clinical Site #145

Tainan, 736, Taiwan
Exelixis Clinical Site #146

Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Exelixis Clinical Site #147

Milan, 20122, Italy
Exelixis Clinical Site #148

Ghent, 9000, Belgium
Exelixis Clinical Site #149

Naples, 80131, Italy
Exelixis Clinical Site #15

Mysłowice, Silesian Voivodeship, 41-400, Poland
Exelixis Clinical Site #150

Klagenfurt, Carinthia, 9020, Austria
Exelixis Clinical Site #151

London, England, NW3 2QG, United Kingdom
Exelixis Clinical Site #152

Brescia, 25124, Italy
Exelixis Clinical Site #153

Veracruz, 94300, Mexico
Exelixis Clinical Site #154

Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
Exelixis Clinical Site #155

Westmead, New South Wales, 2145, Australia
Exelixis Clinical Site #156

São Paulo, São Paulo, 01321-001, Brazil
Exelixis Clinical Site #157

Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, 10408, South Korea
Exelixis Clinical Site #158

Bologna, 40138, Italy
Exelixis Clinical Site #159

Tucson, Arizona, 85719, United States
Exelixis Clinical Site #16

Lyon, 69317, France
Exelixis Clinical Site #160

Mexico City, 06760, Mexico
Exelixis Clinical Site #161

Taichung, 407, Taiwan
Exelixis Clinical Site #162

Kaohsiung City, 833, Taiwan
Exelixis Clinical Site #163

Tricase, Lecce, 73039, Italy
Exelixis Clinical Site #164

Madrid, 28007, Spain
Exelixis Clinical Site #165

Darlinghurst, New South Wales, 2010, Australia
Exelixis Clinical Site #166

Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia
Exelixis Clinical Site #167

Roma, 00168, Italy
Exelixis Clinical Site #168

Valencia, 46009, Spain
Exelixis Clinical Site #169

Edegem, 2650, Belgium
Exelixis Clinical Site #17

Kurralta Park, South Australia, Australia
Exelixis Clinical Site #170

Dublin, 8, Ireland
Exelixis Clinical Site #171

Kingswood, New South Wales, 2747, Australia
Exelixis Clinical Site #172

Bern, 3010, Switzerland
Exelixis Clinical Site #173

Edirne, 22030, Turkey (Türkiye)
Exelixis Clinical Site #174

Vienna, 1090, Austria
Exelixis Clinical Site #175

Barretos, São Paulo, 14784-400, Brazil
Exelixis Clinical Site #176

Portland, Oregon, 97213, United States
Exelixis Clinical Site #177

Torino, 10126, Italy
Exelixis Clinical Site #178

Ankara, 06230, Turkey (Türkiye)
Exelixis Clinical Site #179

Istanbul, 34214, Turkey (Türkiye)
Exelixis Clinical Site #18

Hradec Králové, 500 05, Czechia
Exelixis Clinical Site #180

Malatya, 44280, Turkey (Türkiye)
Exelixis Clinical Site #181

São Paulo, São Paulo, 04538-132, Brazil
Exelixis Clinical Site #182

Torino, 10128, Italy
Exelixis Clinical Site #183

Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand
Exelixis Clinical Site #184

Salvador, Estado de Bahia, 40110-060, Brazil
Exelixis Clinical Site #185

Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210002, China
Exelixis Clinical Site #186

São Paulo, São Paulo, 01246-900, Brazil
Exelixis Clinical Site #187

São Paulo, São Paulo, 01509-010, Brazil
Exelixis Clinical Site #188

Leuven, 3000, Belgium
Exelixis Clinical Site #189

Istanbul, Instanbul, 34098, Turkey (Türkiye)
Exelixis Clinical Site #19

Temple, Texas, 76508, United States
Exelixis Clinical Site #190

Nedlands, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
Exelixis Clinical Site #191

Miami, Florida, 33125, United States
Exelixis Clinical Site #192

Manchester, England, M20 4BX, United Kingdom
Exelixis Clinical Site #193

Ankara, 06010, Turkey (Türkiye)
Exelixis Clinical Site #194

Hamilton, Ontario, L8V 5C2, Canada
Exelixis Clinical Site #195

Chicago, Illinois, 60612, United States
Exelixis Clinical Site #196

Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT9 7AB, United Kingdom
Exelixis Clinical Site #197

Tainan, 704, Taiwan
Exelixis Clinical Site #198

Graz, Styria, 8036, Austria
Exelixis Clinical Site #199

Dallas, Texas, 75246, United States
Exelixis Clinical Site #2

Rialto, California, 92377, United States
Exelixis Clinical Site #20

Pessac, 33604, France
Exelixis Clinical Site #200

Orange, California, 92868-3201, United States
Exelixis Clinical Site #201

Rosario, Santa Fe Province, S2000CVB, Argentina
Exelixis Clinical Site #202

Cluj-Napoca, Cluj, 400641, Romania
Exelixis Clinical Site #203

Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, 90050-170, Brazil
Exelixis Clinical Site #204

Cluj-Napoca, Cluj, 400015, Romania
Exelixis Clinical Site #205

Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2B7, Canada
Exelixis Clinical Site #206

Bucharest, 022328, Romania
Exelixis Clinical Site #207

San Diego, California, 92093, United States
Exelixis Clinical Site #208

Phoenix, Arizona, 85004, United States
Exelixis Clinical Site #209

Iași, 700483, Romania
Exelixis Clinical Site #21

Majadahonda, Madrid, 28222, Spain
Exelixis Clinical Site #210

Kassel, Hesse, 34125, Germany
Exelixis Clinical Site #211

Cluj-Napoca, Cluj, 400015, Romania
Exelixis Clinical Site #212

Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 8L6, Canada
Exelixis Clinical Site #213

City of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, C1199ABB, Argentina
Exelixis Clinical Site #214

Berlin, 13125, Germany
Exelixis Clinical Site #215

Hamburg, 20246, Germany
Exelixis Clinical Site #216

City of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, C1264AAA, Argentina
Exelixis Clinical Site #217

City of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, C1118AAT, Argentina
Exelixis Clinical Site #218

Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, China
Exelixis Clinical Site #219

Pilar, Buenos Aires, B1629ODT, Argentina
Exelixis Clinical Site #22

Majadahonda, Madrid, 28222, Spain
Exelixis Clinical Site #220

Rosario, Santa Fe Province, 2000, Argentina
Exelixis Clinical Site #221

Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, China
Exelixis Clinical Site #222

Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 2Y9, Canada
Exelixis Clinical Site #223

Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
Exelixis Clinical Site #224

Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China
Exelixis Clinical Site #225

Xiamen, Fujian, 361004, China
Exelixis Clinical Site #226

Linyi, Shandong, 276000, China
Exelixis Clinical Site #227

Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150081, China
Exelixis Clinical Site #228

Fuzhou, Fujian, 350014, China
Exelixis Clinical Site #229

Changchun, Jilin, 130021, China
Exelixis Clinical Site #23

Grenoble, 38043, France
Exelixis Clinical Site #230

Zhengzhou, Henan, 450008, China
Exelixis Clinical Site #231

Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
Exelixis Clinical Site #232

Shanghai, 201305, China
Exelixis Clinical Site #233

Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
Exelixis Clinical Site #234

Jiangyin, Jiansu, 214400, China
Exelixis Clinical Site #235

Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
Exelixis Clinical Site #236

Shenyang, Liaoning, 110006, China
Exelixis Clinical Site #237

Beijing, 100050, China
Exelixis Clinical Site #238

Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, China
Exelixis Clinical Site #24

Gdansk, Pomeranian Voivodeship, 80-952, Poland
Exelixis Clinical Site #242

Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510280, China
Exelixis Clinical Site #243

Udine, 33100, Italy
Exelixis Clinical Site #244

Frankfurt am Main, Hesse, 60590, Germany
Exelixis Clinical Site #246

Changchun, Jilin, 130012, China
Exelixis Clinical Site #25

Debrecen, 4032, Hungary
Exelixis Clinical Site #26

Szeged, 6720, Hungary
Exelixis Clinical Site #27

Besançon, 25030, France
Exelixis Clinical Site #28

Santander, Cantabria, 39008, Spain
Exelixis Clinical Site #29

Caen, 14033, France
Exelixis Clinical Site #3

Spokane, Washington, 99208, United States
Exelixis Clinical Site #30

Jerusalem, 9112001, Israel
Exelixis Clinical Site #31

Montbéliard, 25250, France
Exelixis Clinical Site #32

Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, 54511, France
Exelixis Clinical Site #33

Petah Tikva, 4941492, Israel
Exelixis Clinical Site #34

Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3E 0V9, Canada
Exelixis Clinical Site #35

Rehovot, 7661041, Israel
Exelixis Clinical Site #36

Utrecht, 3584 CX, Netherlands
Exelixis Clinical Site #37

Olomouc, 779 00, Czechia
Exelixis Clinical Site #38

Prague, 150 06, Czechia
Exelixis Clinical Site #39

Toledo, Ohio, 43614, United States
Exelixis Clinical Site #4

Atlanta, Georgia, 30318, United States
Exelixis Clinical Site #40

Ramat Gan, 5262101, Israel
Exelixis Clinical Site #41

Warsaw, Masovian Voivodeship, 02-507, Poland
Exelixis Clinical Site #42

Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Exelixis Clinical Site #43

Amiens, 80054, France
Exelixis Clinical Site #44

La Jolla, California, 92037, United States
Exelixis Clinical Site #45

Zaragoza, 50009, Spain
Exelixis Clinical Site #46

Seattle, Washington, 98109, United States
Exelixis Clinical Site #47

Nantes, 44093, France
Exelixis Clinical Site #48

Clichy, 92110, France
Exelixis Clinical Site #49

Montpellier, 34295, France
Exelixis Clinical Site #5

Kansas City, Missouri, 64131, United States
Exelixis Clinical Site #50

Brussels, California, 1070, Belgium
Exelixis Clinical Site #51

Nice, 06202, France
Exelixis Clinical Site #52

Amsterdam, North Holland, 1105 AZ, Netherlands
Exelixis Clinical Site #53

Rozzano, Milano, 20089, Italy
Exelixis Clinical Site #54

San Francisco, California, 94158, United States
Exelixis Clinical Site #55

Lille, 59037, France
Exelixis Clinical Site #56

Bondy, 93140, France
Exelixis Clinical Site #57

Haine-Saint-Paul, 7100, Belgium
Exelixis Clinical Site #58

Washington D.C., District of Columbia, 20007, United States
Exelixis Clinical Site #59

Pamplona, Navarre, 31008, Spain
Exelixis Clinical Site #6

Baltimore, Maryland, 21202, United States
Exelixis Clinical Site #60

Grafton, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
Exelixis Clinical Site #61

Zurich, 8091, Switzerland
Exelixis Clinical Site #62

Newton, Wellington Region, 6021, New Zealand
Exelixis Clinical Site #63

Madrid, 28046, Spain
Exelixis Clinical Site #64

Linz, Upper Austria, 4010, Austria
Exelixis Clinical Site #65

Brussels, 1200, Belgium
Exelixis Clinical Site #66

Tbilisi, 0112, Georgia
Exelixis Clinical Site #67

Tbilisi, 0144, Georgia
Exelixis Clinical Site #68

Tbilisi, 0114, Georgia
Exelixis Clinical Site #69

Batumi, 6000, Georgia
Exelixis Clinical Site #7

Burlington, Massachusetts, 01805, United States
Exelixis Clinical Site #70

Tbilisi, 0186, Georgia
Exelixis Clinical Site #71

Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N2, Canada
Exelixis Clinical Site #72

Parkville, Victoria, 3050, Australia
Exelixis Clinical Site #73

Sochi, 354057, Russia
Exelixis Clinical Site #74

Kislino, Kursk Oblast, 305524, Russia
Exelixis Clinical Site #75

Incheon, 22332, South Korea
Exelixis Clinical Site #76

Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87131, United States
Exelixis Clinical Site #77

Busan, 47392, South Korea
Exelixis Clinical Site #78

Camperdown, New South Wales, 2050, Australia
Exelixis Clinical Site #79

Seoul, 06273, South Korea
Exelixis Clinical Site #8

St Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States
Exelixis Clinical Site #80

Nizhny Novgorod, 603137, Russia
Exelixis Clinical Site #81

Kaluga, 248007, Russia
Exelixis Clinical Site #82

Taipei, 10002, Taiwan
Exelixis Clinical Site #83

Bristol, England, BS2 8ED, United Kingdom
Exelixis Clinical Site #84

Rotterdam, South Holland, 3015 GD, Netherlands
Exelixis Clinical Site #85

Montreal, Quebec, H3T 1E2, Canada
Exelixis Clinical Site #86

Busan, 49201, South Korea
Exelixis Clinical Site #87

Cambridge, England, CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
Exelixis Clinical Site #88

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107, United States
Exelixis Clinical Site #89

Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 30110-022, Brazil
Exelixis Clinical Site #9

Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Exelixis Clinical Site #90

Saint Petersburg, 197758, Russia
Exelixis Clinical Site #91

São Paulo, 04543-000, Brazil
Exelixis Clinical Site #92

Maastricht, Limburg, 6229 HX, Netherlands
Exelixis Clinical Site #93

Seoul, 06351, South Korea
Exelixis Clinical Site #94

Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan
Exelixis Clinical Site #95

Krasnodar, 350040, Russia
Exelixis Clinical Site #96

Pathum Wan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
Exelixis Clinical Site #97

Singapore, 217562, Singapore
Exelixis Clinical Site #98

Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 30130-090, Brazil
Exelixis Clinical Site #99

Seoul, 05505, South Korea
Exelixis Site #239

Beijing, 100034, China
Exelixis Site #240

Shanghai, 200001, China
Exelixis Site #241

Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China
Exelixisi Clinical Site #100

Taipei, 11217, Taiwan

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