New PET scan could spot liver cancer sooner
NCT ID NCT04762888
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Aug 13, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tested a special PET/MRI scan that uses a radioactive tracer to find liver cancer cells. The goal was to see if this scan can detect liver cancer earlier and more accurately than standard scans. 52 adults with liver cancer took part, and researchers compared the new scan results with tissue samples or other imaging to measure its accuracy.
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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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52 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Feb 2021
- Finished
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Jun 2025
- 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: * Patients with either an imaging diagnosis of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by Computed Tomography (CT) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging MRI (Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System \[LI-RADS\] 5) confirmed by a board-certified abdominal radiologist, or with biopsy-proven HCC * Subjects who may undergo hepatic surgical resection, liver transplant, or hepatic locoregional therapy (LRT) (e.g., ablation, embolization, etc.) * No prior treatment for index HCC lesion (surgical resection, liver transplant, hepatic locoregional therapy arm). Patients that have been previously treated with HCC, but have new or reoccurring untreated lesions, are included in the study. * Male or female with age greater than 18 years, with the capacity and willingness to provide written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Patients requiring emergent surgery for a ruptured/bleeding HCC * Bilirubin \> 3.0 mg/dL, which is a contraindication for Gadoxetate, the MRI contrast agent (relevant to positron emission tomography \[PET\]/MRI) * Patients with glomerular filtration rate (GFR) \< 30 ml/min/1.73m\^2, on dialysis, or with acute kidney injury * Pregnant and/or breast-feeding patients. A negative pregnancy test within 48 hours of the PET scan * Patients with higher than the weight/size limitations of PET/MRI or PET/CT scanner * Subjects with history of allergic response to Eovist or Gadavist * Subjects with known history of claustrophobia * Subjects with GFR \< 30 ml/min/1.73m\^2, on dialysis, or with acute kidney injury * Subjects with a history of severe hypersensitivity to Eovist or Gadavist * Patients with contraindication to MRI (relevant to PET/MRI): * Patients who have a heart pacemaker * Patients who have a metallic foreign body (metal sliver) in their eye, or who have an aneurysm clip in their brain * Patients who have implanted devices with magnets * Patients who have other implanted electronic devices * Patients who have deep brain stimulator * Patients who have vagal nerve stimulator * Patients with cochlear (ear) or auditory implants PSMA PET/CT will be an alternative in this study for patients who are unable to undergo PET/MRI for any reason but are otherwise eligible for the study.
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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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Mayo Clinic in Rochester
Rochester, Minnesota, 55905, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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