Liver Cancer Clinical Trials

Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is an imaging technology that is incorporated into many modern radiation therapy systems. The quality of conventional CBCT is good enough to align patients for their daily radiation therapy but CBCT images have poor contrast and are susceptible to imaging artefacts that limit their usability for other tasks in the radiation therapy workflow. Varian Medical Systems, the sponsor of this study, has developed new CBCT imaging technology called HyperSight that so far has demonstrated increased image quality compared with conventional CBCT images. This new HyperSight CBCT imager has previously been built into Varian Halcyon and Ethos treatment machines, where the imager is enclosed in a ring that rotates around the patient. Now, HyperSight has been built into a Varian treatment machine, called TrueBeam, where the imager is mounted on a C-shaped arm that rotates around you to acquire an image. This study is being done to evaluate the image quality of HyperSight CBCT compared to conventional CBCT images, and to determine whether HyperSight CBCT can improve the process of delivering radiation treatments. The goal of this study is to collect images from this new HyperSight-TrueBeam CBCT imager from a variety of patients and locations in the body. The images will be analyzed to determine whether their quality is high enough to use for tasks other than positioning patients for treatment. For example, the study will determine whether the HyperSight images could be used to calculate a radiation plan. Read Less

This research study is being conducted to improve the quality of care of participants who have a diagnosis of gastrointestinal cancer (anal, colon, rectal, esophageal, stomach, small bowel, appendix, pancreas, gall bladder, liver, neuroendocrine tumor of gastrointestinal origin). This study has 3 components as follows- 1. Ensuring appropriate biomarker testing and evidence-based care: Biomarkers are molecules in the tumor or blood that indicate normal or abnormal processes in participant's body and may indicate an underlying condition or disease. Various molecules, such as DNA (genes), proteins, or hormones, can serve as biomarkers since they all indicate something about participant's health. Biomarker testing can also help choose participant's treatment. Additionally, a tumor board will be conducted periodically to provide treatment recommendations to participant's treating physician. Participants will receive standard-of-care treatment if participant enroll in this study. Participant will not receive any experimental treatment. 2. Assistance with clinical trial enrollment. The study team will help participants enroll in a clinical trial appropriate for participant's condition. However, enrolling in a clinical trial is totally up to the participant. 3. Health literacy: The study team will provide information relevant to participant's diagnosis to enrich participant's understanding of participant's condition and treatment. Investigator will provide questionnaires to assess participant's understanding before and after participant's have been provided with educational/informational material appropriate for participant's diagnosis. Read Less

This research study aims to evaluate the safety and determine the optimal dose of a new experimental drug, vvDD-hIL2 (vaccinia virus double-deleted human interleukin 2), in patients with advanced abdominal cancer. The study will involve three dose levels, with three to six patients enrolled at each level. vvDD-hIL2 is a genetically modified vaccinia virus, derived from the virus previously used for smallpox vaccination. The modification is intended to target and destroy tumors while minimizing harm to healthy tissues by stimulating the body's immune response. Participants will receive an injection of vvDD-hIL2 directly into their abdominal tumors at AHN West Penn. The study team will monitor for side effects and assess tumor response to the treatment. Active participation will last up to two months, involving seven clinic visits and approximately four lab visits at AHN West Penn Hospital. Visits will include standard of care procedures as well as study-specific tests and exams. Most visits will last one to two hours, with some extending to two to three hours. The drug administration day will require a twelve-hour visit. Effectiveness and side effects will be evaluated through blood draws, oral swabs, urinalysis and tissue biopsies. Tissue samples will be used for genomic analysis and stored for potential future research. Data collected may also be used for future research purposes. Previous human trials of vvDD-hIL2 have reported side effects such as pain, rash or inflammation at the injection site, low-grade fevers, flu-like symptoms, and fatigue. There is a rare risk of rash transmission to close contacts with skin openings, and information on limiting contact and managing rash development will be provided. Read Less

This study will collect blood from patients with cancer to study the level of cells which decrease the immune response (suppressor cells) before and after chemotherapy. Patients 18 years of age and older with cancer may participate. This study does not involve treatment. Participants will have about 50 ml (3 tablespoonfuls) of blood drawn. Depending on their condition, patients may be invited to enroll in a clinical research study involving chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgery. Additional 40-ml blood samples may be drawn during the course of treatment. Read Less

This study aims to provide long-term follow-up care of patients previously enrolled in a vaccine study that involved poxviral vectors. Vectors are sequences of genetic material that can be used to introduce specific genes into genetic makeup. The study does not involve the use of any drug or biologic agent. Participants will undergo an annual health history. Because certain viruses enter into cells and create proteins from the viral genes, the type of vaccine treatment used is referred to gene therapy. The genes expressed by poxviral vectors do not become part of the genetic material left behind. Because gene therapy is a somewhat new technology, a prolonged monitoring of patients' health status is necessary, according to new specific reporting requirements for harmful events in patients who undergo such gene therapy studies. The risk of any long-term negative effects from the gene therapy that patients had received is quite small. Still, it is important that there be updates at least annually. This annual monitoring of health status will extend for 15 years, according to guidelines from the Food and Drug Administration, or for as long as patients are willing to participate. Patients who received poxviral vectors (vaccinia or fowlpox, or both) at the National Cancer Institute, through a trial affiliated with the Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, may be eligible for this study. Participants will be involved in the following forms of data collection: * Annual medical history and physical examinations for the first 5 years following the last vaccine. * Annual telephone contact during the last 10 years. * Health status check, including primary cancer status, secondary malignancies, neurologic disorders, autoimmune disorders, and hematologic disorders. * Blood tests for the presence of HIV antibodies. * Reporting of medical problems, including information on unexpected hospitalizations and medications. If a participant has died, the study will document the cause of death and autopsy information if available. Read Less

AGX101 is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) therapy for tumor-forming cancers. The purpose of this study is to learn about AGX101 effects and safety at various dose levels in an all-comers advanced solid cancer patient population. AGX101will be administered intravenously. Dosing of AGX101 will be repeated once every 3, 6 or 9 weeks. Participants may continue study treatment until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or consent withdrawal. Subjects will attend an end of treatment visit and will receive two safety follow-up telephone contacts up to 90 days following the last dose of study drug. Read Less

This is a multicenter, observational registry that follows patients for a total of 5 years from the date of the first liver ablation procedure with the NEUWAVE Microwave Ablation System. Read Less

Background: Primary Liver Cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. It is the cancer with the fastest rising incidence and mortality in the United States. Researchers want to learn more about liver cancer to help them design better treatments. Objective: To better understand liver cancer. Eligibility: People ages 18 and older who have liver cancer and had or are planning to have immune therapy Design: Participants will be screened with a review of their medical records. They will be asked about their medical history and test results. Participants will come to the NIH Clinical Center. During this visit, their medical records, test results, imaging studies, and tissue samples (if available) will be gathered. Participants will learn the results of a test to see if they have any mutations known to be connected to cancer. They will learn if there are treatment options for them. Participants will give blood, urine, and stool samples or rectal swabs. Participants will not have follow-up visits just for this study. If they join another NIH research study and have visits for this other study, their medical records; test results; and blood, urine, and stool samples may be collected. This will occur about every 3 months. If they have a biopsy or surgery on another study or as part of treatment and there is leftover tissue, researchers would like to collect some of that tissue. Participants will be contacted every 6 months by phone or e-mail. They will be asked about their health. They will provide any medical records, test results, and imaging studies. Participants will be followed on this study for life. Read Less

The purpose of this study is to test the safety and effectiveness of using brodalumab in patients who develop side effects from cancer immune therapy. Immune-related side effects are due to activation of the immune system in patients who previously received immunotherapy and the goal of this study is to help better control these side effects. Brodalumab is often used to treat patients with autoimmune diseases (diseases where the immune system is activated against normal organs) and safe doses and treatment schedules have been determined in these patients. Immune-related side effects appear to closely mirror these autoimmune conditions. Brodalumab has not been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in immunotherapy side effects but it has been approved for treatment of autoimmune conditions. Read Less

This is a pilot and feasibility study assessing the role of quantitative multiparametric MRI and blood-based biomarkers for the measurement of liver function in patients receiving radiation therapy for liver cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cholangiocarcinoma, or liver metastases regardless of primary histology, that are undergoing photon radiation either in the de-novo or re-irradiation setting. The goal of this study is to prospectively evaluate the feasibility of using quantitative multiparametric MRI to monitor liver function at baseline and following liver radiation therapy. Read Less

The purpose of this study is to identify blood markers that have the ability to diagnose liver cancer with improved accuracy, so that it can be used alone or in conjunction with alpha-feto protein (AFP) Read Less

Patients may be considered if the cancer has come back, has not gone away after standard treatment or the patient cannot receive standard treatment. This research study uses special immune system cells called CARE T cells, a new experimental treatment. The body has different ways of fighting infection and disease. No single way seems perfect for fighting cancers. This research study combines two different ways of fighting cancer: antibodies and T cells. Antibodies are types of proteins that protect the body from infectious diseases and possibly cancer. T cells, also called T lymphocytes, are special infection-fighting blood cells that can kill other cells, including cells infected with viruses and tumor cells. Both antibodies and T cells have been used to treat patients with cancers. They have shown promise, but have not been strong enough to cure most patients. Investigators have found from previous research that they can put a new gene (a tiny part of what makes-up DNA and carries a person's traits) into T cells that will make them recognize cancer cells and kill them. In the lab, investigators made several genes called a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), from an antibody called GPC3. The antibody GPC3 recognizes a protein found solid tumors including pediatric liver cancers. This CAR is called GPC3-CAR. To make this CAR more effective, investigators also added two genes that includes IL15 and IL21, which are protein that helps CAR T cells grow better and stay in the blood longer so that they may kill tumors better. The mixture of GPC3-CAR and IL15 plus IL21 killed tumor cells better in the laboratory when compared with CAR T cells that did not have IL15 plus IL21 .This study will test T cells that investigators made (called genetic engineering) with GPC3-CAR and the IL15 plus IL21 (CARE T cells) in patients with GPC3-positive solid tumors. T cells made to carry a gene called iCasp9 can be killed when they encounter a specific drug called AP1903. The investigators will insert the iCasp9 and IL15 plus IL21 together into the T cells using a virus that has been made for this study. The drug (AP1903) is an experimental drug that has been tested in humans with no bad side-effects. The investigators will use this drug to kill the T cells if necessary due to side effects. This study will test T cells genetically engineered with a GPC3-CAR and IL15 plus IL21 (CARE T cells) in patients with GPC3-positive solid tumors. The CARE T cells are an investigational product not approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The purpose of this study is to find the biggest dose of CARE T cells that is safe, to see how long they last in the body, to learn what the side effects are and to see if the CARE T cells will help people with GPC3-positive solid tumors. Read Less