Houston study aims to catch liver cancer early with simple tests
NCT ID NCT04785534
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study is screening 1,000 patients at the HOPE clinic in Houston for liver fibrosis and cirrhosis using surveys, blood tests, and a non-invasive liver scan called FibroScan. The goal is to find early signs of liver damage that could lead to cancer, so that prevention or early treatment can be started. Participants are existing or new clinic patients aged 18 and older.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this study could help identify people at high risk for liver cancer earlier, potentially improving survival through early detection.
- What could go wrong
- This is an observational screening study, not a treatment trial. It may not directly prevent cancer or change outcomes for participants.
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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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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1,000 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Dec 2020
- Expected to finish
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Aug 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: * Must be at least 18 years old * Must be a new or existing patient of the HOPE clinic seeking usual clinical care * Must be able to speak and read English or a language other than English for which there is a translator available on site at the HOPE clinic Exclusion Criteria: * Known pregnancy at time of recruitment. The HOPE clinic will ask the female patients if they are pregnant, will ask the participants for their last menstrual period (LMP), and/or they will use the urine pregnancy test (UPT) results in their electronic medical records
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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
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