New drug cocktail aims to stop liver cancer recurrence
NCT ID NCT04639180
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This phase 3 trial tests whether combining two drugs—camrelizumab (an immunotherapy) and rivoceranib (a targeted therapy)—can prevent liver cancer from coming back in patients at high risk of recurrence after curative surgery or ablation. About 687 participants will receive either the drug combination or active surveillance (no treatment). The main goal is to see if the combo extends the time before cancer returns.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- camrelizumab (an immunotherapy drug) and rivoceranib (a targeted therapy drug)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this combination could become a new standard treatment to delay or prevent liver cancer from coming back after surgery or ablation.
- What could go wrong
- This is still an experimental approach; side effects from the drugs may be serious, and it is not yet known if the benefits outweigh the risks compared to simply watching and waiting.
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
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Phase 3
Large-scale testing in a bigger group. Usually the last step before a treatment can be approved.
- Participants
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687 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Apr 2021
- Expected to finish
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Jul 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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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
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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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: * Subjects with a histopathological diagnosis of HCC * Subjects who have undergone a curative resection or ablation (radiofrequency ablation \[RFA\] or microwave ablation \[MVA\] only) * No previous systematic treatment and locoregional therapy for HCC prior to randomization * Absence of major macrovascular invasion * No extrahepatic spread * Full recovery from Curative resection or ablation within 4 weeks prior to randomization * High risk for HCC recurrence after resection or ablation * For patients who received post-operative transarterial chemoembolization: full recovery from the procedure within 4 weeks prior to randomization * Child-Pugh Class: Grade A * ECOG-PS score: 0 or 1 * Subjects with HCV- RNA (+) must receive antiviral therapy * Adequate organ function Exclusion Criteria: * Known hepatocholangiocarcinoma, sarcomatoid HCC, mixed cell carcinoma and fibrolamellar HCC; other active malignant tumor except HCC within 5 years or simultaneously * Evidence of residual lesion, recurrence, and metastasis at randomization; * Moderate-to-severe ascites with clinical symptoms * History of hepatic encephalopathy * History of gastrointestinal hemorrhage within 6 months prior to the start of study treatment or clear tendency of gastrointestinal haemorrhage * Active or history of autoimmune disease * Interstitial lung disease that is symptomatic or may interfere with the detection and management of suspected drug-related pulmonary toxicity * Cardiac clinical symptom or cardiovascular disease that is not well controlled * Severe infection within 4 weeks prior to the start of study treatment * HIV infection * Known history of serious allergy to any monoclonal antibody or targeted anti-angiogenic drug * Subjects with inadequately controlled hypertension or history of hypertensive crisis or hypertensive encephalopathy * Thrombosis or thromboembolic event within 6 months prior to the start of study treatment * Known genetic or acquired hemorrhage or thrombotic tendency * Abdominal fistula, gastrointestinal perforation or intraperitoneal abscess within 6 months prior to the start of study treatment * Serious non-healing or dehiscing wound * Major Curative procedure within four weeks * Factors to affect oral administration * Previous or current presence of metastasis to central nervous system
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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
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Guangxi Medical University Affiliated Tumor Hospital
Nanjin, Guangzhou, China
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Guizhou Cancer Hospital
Guiyang, Guizhou, China
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Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine
Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China
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The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University
Chongqing, Chongqing Municipality, China
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Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital
Tianjin, Tianjin Municipality, China
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Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University
Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Zapping liver tumors to make them operable
- Triple drug combo targets advanced liver cancer in new trial
- Can two immunotherapy drugs make liver tumors more vulnerable to surgery?
- Saline barrier lets heat target liver tumors near the diaphragm
- Can a new PET tracer spot liver cancer more clearly?
- Can a smart drug starve liver tumors without harming healthy tissue?