Abbreviated Magnetic Resonance Imaging vs Ultrasound Surveillance for Liver Cancer dETection in People at High Risk of Developing Liver Cancer

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD · Oct 23, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying whether a special type of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, which does not use contrast dye, can better detect liver cancer in people who are at high risk due to liver cirrhosis. People with cirrhosis, which can be caused by conditions like hepatitis B or C and excessive alcohol use, are often recommended to have ultrasound scans every six months to check for liver cancer. However, ultrasounds can sometimes miss cancers. This trial aims to see if the quick, 20-minute MRI can find cancers that ultrasounds might miss, especially in those with a higher risk of developing liver cancer.

To participate in the trial, you need to be at least 18 years old, have cirrhosis from specific causes, and be eligible for regular liver cancer checks. During the study, participants will receive both an ultrasound and an MRI every six months for two and a half years. If either test suggests the possibility of cancer, a more detailed MRI with contrast dye will be performed to confirm the diagnosis. Participants will also fill out questionnaires about their quality of life and experiences with the scans. Importantly, this study will help determine if the non-contrast MRI could be a better option for monitoring liver cancer in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • • Participant is willing and able to give informed consent for participation in the study AND
• • All genders, aged 18 years or above AND
• • Eligible for HCC US surveillance in the opinion of the local investigators AND
• • Child Pugh score A or B AND
• • Diagnosed with liver cirrhosis due to ArLD, MASLD, chronic hepatitis C, chronic hepatitis B, genetic haemochromatosis AND
• • Have an annual risk of HCC of at least 3% as determined by the aMAP score OR
• • Participants with chronic liver disease (with or without cirrhosis) who had successful treatment for HCC, have not had a recurrence and have returned to 6 monthly surveillance with USS
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • • Contraindication to MRI
• • Known allergy / reaction to intravenous gadolinium contrast
• • Prisoners
• • Pregnancy or breast feeding
• • Previous liver transplant
• • Participants who are known to have indeterminate liver nodules on prior imaging requiring ongoing follow-up with MRI or CT
• • Previous HCC treated with curative intent and still being followed up with CT or MRI with contrast for possible recurrence
• • Estimated glomerular filtration rate of \<30 ml/min/1.73m2
• • Participant is on haemodialysis
• • Participants who are unlikely to comply with the study procedures in the opinion of the local investigator
• • In the view of the clinician, if the participant has a co-morbidity likely to lead to death within the following 12 months