Which catheter delivers better chemo to liver tumors? small trial aims to find out
NCT ID NCT06204159
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This trial compares two FDA-approved catheters used during TACE, a procedure that delivers chemotherapy directly to liver tumors. Twelve participants with liver cancer or neuroendocrine tumors will receive two TACE procedures, each using a different catheter. The goal is to see which catheter provides better coverage of the tumor with the chemotherapy agent Lipiodol, as seen on 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
- Lipiodol (chemotherapy delivery agent) via TACE procedure
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could help doctors choose the best catheter for delivering chemotherapy directly to liver tumors, potentially improving treatment effectiveness.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early-stage study (12 participants) comparing two already-approved devices. It may not show a clear difference or lead to changes in practice.
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
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 12 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Feb 2024
- Expected to finish
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Dec 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.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Male or female, aged \>18 years. * Plan to undergo lipiodol TACE for HCC or NET liver metastases * Bilobar disease or distribution for which staged therapy (more than one TACE) for distinct target tumors is planned * Liver tumor burden does not exceed 50% of the liver volume * Patent main portal vein * Life expectancy of greater than 6 months * ECOG performance status 0-2 * Adequate liver function as measured by: Total bilirubin ≤ 2.0mg/dl, ALT, AST ≤5 times ULN, albumin ≥2.5g/dl * Adequate marrow and renal function as defined as: * Platelets \>75,000/mcL (may be corrected by transfusion) * Serum creatinine \< 2.0 mg/dl * For females of reproductive potential: use of highly effective contraception for at least 1 month prior to screening and agreement to use such contraception from beginning of study treatment until 1 month following last TACE treatment, as recommended for TACE treatments not conducted within the trial. * For males of reproductive potential: use of condoms or other methods to ensure effective contraception with partner from first study treatment until 1 month following last TACE treatment. * Provision of signed and dated informed consent form and ability to consent for oneself. * Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the study duration. Exclusion Criteria: * Absolute contraindication to contrast-enhanced MRI * Absolute contraindication to intravenous iodinated contrast, including history of previous severe contrast reaction or moderate reaction not mitigated by appropriate pre-medication * Pregnancy or lactation * Choledochoenteric anastomosis, transpapillary stent or sphincterotomy of duodenal papilla * Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements
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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
-
Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
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University of Pennsylvania, Department of Radiology, Interventional Radiology Division
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
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