Proton Beam Therapy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma With Portal Vein Tumor Thrombosis (NCT02571946) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Proton Beam Therapy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma With Portal Vein Tumor Thrombosis
South Korea53 participantsStarted 2015-08
Plain-language summary
The standard treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is sorafenib. Though the agent showed clear survival benefit in two randomized phase III trials, the benefit was modest and response rate was just a few percent. Therefore, other loco-regional modalities, like trans-arterial chemo-embolization (TACE), hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC), and radiotherapy (RT) were continuously tried, especially in locally advanced HCC including portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT).
With the advancement of conformal RT techniques, RT was actively applied in HCC, especially in PVTT combined HCC. Many researchers reported that there is a relationship between RT dose and tumor response rate. RT dose, however, is frequently limited because the complications (like radiation induced liver disease (RILD), radiation induced gastro-duodenal toxicity, etc.) are also closely related with higher exposed RT dose.
Proton beam has characteristic depth-dose distribution contrast to photon, the "Bragg peak". The advantage of this dose distribution could be more highlighted in HCC management, because of the weakness and maintenance importance of liver function itself in HCC patients. In fact, the superior results of proton beam therapy in HCC were constantly reported in several groups as prospectively as well as retrospectively.
In those background, the investigators planned the present study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of proton beam therapy in HCC patients combined with PVTT.
Who can participate
Age range
20 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients
* pathologically proven
* HCC diagnosed based on American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) guideline
* Portal vein tumor thrombosis (main, first branch, segmental)
* Discussion in tumor board including gastroenterologist, radiologist, radiation oncologist
* 20 or more age
* Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0 to 2 within 1 week before participate
* Adequate bone marrow function (absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1.0 x 109/l, platelet ≥ 30 x 109/l, hemoglobin ≥ 8 g/dl)
* Adequate liver/renal function within 1 week before participate
* Child-Pugh class A, B, or early C (score ≤ 10)
* Total bilirubin \<3.0 mg/dL, Prothrombin time/International normalized ratio \<1.7, Albumin≥2.8g/dL, Aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase\<6 times of upper normal limit
* Serum creatinine \< 1,5 x upper normal limit, glomerular filtration rate \> 50 ml/min Informed consent
* Women of childbearing potential and male participants must agree to practice adequate contraception while on study and for at least 6 months following the last dose of RT and for at least 28 days following the last dose of sorafenib (whichever is later).
Exclusion Criteria:
* Uncontrolled hepatic encephalopathy
* Previous history of upper abdominal radiotherapy
* Status of pregnancy or breast feeding
* Less than 12 weeks of expected survival
* Uncontrolled ascites
* Combined with disease known as radiosensitive disor…
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.