New software aims to make liver cancer ablation more precise
NCT ID NCT04083378
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This phase 2 trial tests whether a software-aided imaging system (Morfeus) can help doctors confirm that liver tumors are fully covered during ablation. About 107 patients with up to 3 liver tumors will be treated with standard ablation, and the software will be used to assess the ablation margin. The goal is to see if this approach reduces the chance of tumor regrowth compared to the usual visual inspection of CT scans.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Software-aided imaging (Morfeus)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could lead to more accurate liver tumor ablation, potentially reducing the chance of cancer returning after treatment.
- What could go wrong
- This is a phase 2 trial with only 107 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The software may not improve outcomes significantly over standard methods.
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 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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107 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jan 2020
- Expected to finish
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Oct 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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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.
- 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: 1. Patients presenting with ≤ 3 liver tumors (biopsy-proven or documented by imaging) measuring 1 to 5 cm planned to undergo percutaneous thermal ablation with either microwave or radiofrequency ablation. Patients with more than 3 tumors might also be eligible in case other tumors can be treated with another curative-intended loco-regional therapy (i.e. surgical resection, radiation therapy). 2. Ability to completely cover the target tumor with at least a 5 mm ablation margin. 3. Written informed consent to voluntarily participate in the study and follow-up CT scan schedule 4. Age \> 18 years-old 5. Performance status 0-2 (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Classification \[ECOG\]) 6. Target tumor should be visualized on contrast-enhanced CT 7. Adequate glomerular filtration rate Exclusion Criteria 1. Active bacterial infection or fungal infection on the day of the ablation that, in the opinion of the investigator, would interfere with safe delivery of the study procedure or with the interpretation of study results. 2. Platelet \< 50,000/mm3. 3. INR \> 1.5 4. Patients with uncorrectable coagulopathy. 5. Currently breastfeeding or pregnant (latter confirmed by serum pregnancy test). 6. Physical or psychological condition which would impair study participation. 7. ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) score of \> 4. 8. Any other loco-regional therapies at the target lesion(s) within 30 days of the ablation procedure.
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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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M D Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas, 77030, United States