New liver cancer treatment shows promise in early trial
NCT ID NCT02028949
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This early-stage study tested a chemotherapy drug called idarubicin mixed with a contrast oil (lipiodol) injected directly into the liver artery for people with liver cancer that cannot be removed by surgery. The 15 participants all had cirrhosis. The goal was to find a safe dose and see if this approach could be effective without damaging the liver further.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- idarubicin (Zavedos®) mixed with lipiodol
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a new treatment option for liver cancer patients who cannot have surgery, with less toxicity than standard chemoembolisation.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early Phase 1 trial with only 15 people, so it is too small to prove effectiveness. The main goal is just to find a safe dose, and side effects are still unknown.
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 1
The first testing in people. Mainly checks safety and dose, usually in a small group.
- Participants
-
15 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Nov 2012
- Finished
-
Feb 2016
- 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.
- Ages
-
18 years and older
- Sex
-
Anyone
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: Histologically-proven hepatocellular carcinoma or carcinoma meeting validated non-invasive criteria (EASL, AASLD) * Child-Pugh A OR B7 cirrhosis * General health status WHO 0.1 * Platelets \> 50 000/mm3, Polynuclear neutrophils \> 1000/mm3 * Creatininemia \< 1.5 times upper limit of normal * LVEF by MUGA scan or US \> 50 % * Age \> 18 years * Signed informed consent * For women child-bearing age, an effective means of contraception Exclusion criteria: Patients who can benefit from curative treatment (surgical resection, liver transplant or treatment via percutaneous destruction) * Non-cirrhotic liver * Cirrhosis Child B8 or B9 or C * Extrahepatic metastases (pulmonary micronodules \< 7mm are not considered a contra-indication) * Digestive hemorrhage within the previous month * Patient on anticoagulants * Pregnant women * Uncontrolled infection * Hypersensitivity to anthracyclines * Hypersensitivity to iodine contrast agents * Patient under guardianship or ward of court * Patients who have already received the recommended cumulative dose of anthracycline (93 mg/m2 for idarubicin, 140 mg/m2 for mitoxantrone, 550 mg/m2 for doxorubicin, 600 mg/m2 for daunorubicin, 900 mg/m2 for epirubicin)
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Child A/B7 cirrhosis are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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
-
CHU de Dijon
Dijon, 21079 Cedex, France