Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) and Stereotactic Body Radiation (SBRT) in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) Prior to Liver Transplantation

What this study involves

The registry says this study is recruiting. Individual locations may have different availability.

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Age range

18 years - Not specified

Sex eligible

All sexes

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

Participants

44 Estimated

These are starting points, not an eligibility decision. The research team must review the full requirements.

About the research

In this randomised study it should be investigated, whether and to what extent standard TACE treatment combined with additional stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) leads to improved outcomes for patients with HCC when used as a bridging therapy prior to liver transplantation.

Who may be able to participate?

The list below is the sponsor’s full registry wording. It can include conditions, prior treatment, test results and other requirements. A match in search does not mean you qualify.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Written informed consent obtained from the subject prior to performing any protocol related procedures, including screening evaluations.
2. Age ≥ 18 years at time of study entry.
3. HCC diagnosed by histopathology and/or according to EASL or AASLD criteria at an early stage (BCLC A or UNOS T2), without any curative treatment option (resection or ablation) other than liver transplantation as determined by tumor board decision of at least one tumor lesion. Guidance: Patients with prior HCC who had surgery or locoregional treatment and had a complete remission for over 2 years and develop denovo HCC at a location different from previously treated HCC lesion(s) are eligible to participate.
4. Patients planned for liver transplantation after discussion within a multidisciplinary board.
5. Patients eligible to receive a matchReMELD-Na (SE-ReMELD-Na) - Score for hepatocellular carcinoma according to German transplant regulations. Guidance: All listing assessments must be completed before first on-study radiologic tumor assessment (first radiologic tumor assessment in treatment follow-up).
6. Treatment of all lesions by SBRT is feasible as determined by the local physician. The central review board recommendation process has been initiated (i.e. image upload by site).
7. At least one measurable site of disease with spiral CT scan or MRI according to mRECIST for HCC.
8. Sufficient liver function (\< Child Pugh B8)
9. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) 0 or 1.
10. Adequate blood count, liver enzymes and renal function:

1. Hemoglobin ≥ 7 g/dL, absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1000 /µL, platelets ≥ 35000/µL
2. Total bilirubin and serum albumin as part of Child Pugh requirement
3. ALAT and ASAT ≤5 x ULN
11. Patients with active HIV Infection must show a CD4 cell count above 200/µL and no detectable HIV RNA for at least three months prior to the study
12. Female patients with reproductive potential must have a negative urine or serum pregnancy test within 14 days prior to start of the study (randomization).
13. Patients of childbearing potential who are sexually active must use an adequate contraceptive method with a failure rate less than 1 % per year. Enrolled patients must agree to use adequate contraception for the duration of study treatment and up to 6 months after the end of the treatment (depending on treatment received), manufactures recommendation (TACE) and local guidelines.
14. Subject is willing and able to comply with the protocol for the duration of the study including undergoing treatment and scheduled visits and examinations including follow up.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Involvement in the planning and/or conduct of the study.
2. Prior local tumor specific treatment of the same tumor nodule within the last 24 months.
3. Histological proven fibrolamellar HCC or mixed HCC/cholangiocarcinoma.
4. Other invasive malignancies within the past 2 years (except for non-melanoma skin cancer or non-invasive bladder cancer).
5. Impaired liver function Child-Pugh Class B \> 7.
6. Ongoing or active systemic infection or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements. Uncontrolled intercurrent illness, including but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirement, substantially increase risk of incurring AEs, or compromise the ability of the patient to give written informed consent.
7. Dementia or significantly altered mental status that would prohibit the understanding or rendering of information, consent, and compliance with the requirements of the protocol.
8. Pregnancy and breastfeeding. Should a patient become pregnant, the treating physician has to be informed immediately.
9. Any condition, comorbidity or circumstance that, in the opinion of the investigator, would interfere with evaluation of study treatment or affect patient safety or study results.
10. Weight less than or equal to 30 kg.
11. Prior radiotherapy to the upper abdomen

Treatment, groups and participation

The registry may describe treatments and study duration without a complete visit calendar. Ask the study team for the exact schedule, procedures, risks, costs and alternatives. Keep your usual care plan unless your treating clinician tells you otherwise.

Assignment

Random assignment

Masking

No masking

What researchers are measuring

Outcome measures describe what is being studied. They are not proof that a treatment works.

Primary measures

Secondary measures

Research locations (1)

The overall study status and a local site’s status can differ. Confirm that location’s availability before traveling.

1 locations

Study team and timeline

Lead sponsor

AIO-Studien-gGmbH

Study start

Jul 28, 2026 Actual

Primary completion

2031-01 Estimated

Study completion

2031-03 Estimated

First posted

Nov 9, 2026 Actual

Last updated

Nov 9, 2026 Actual

Official study contacts