Organoid Models of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: organoids models.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Organoids, Gut Microbiota, Tumor Microenvironment. Basic parameters: from 18 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Italy
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
Unsure about the terms? Read our patient guide →
Official title
Organoid Models of Hepatocellular Carcinoma to Test Treatment Efficacy, Exploring Correlations With Tumor Microenvironment and Gut-liver-tumor Axis.
Overview
A promising tool to elucidate the molecular characteristics of HCC are patient-derived organoids (PDOs), three-dimensional cultures of cells that self-organise according to tissue-specific patterns and can be used to test the susceptibility of a specific tumour to anticancer agents. In this study, PDOs for HCC will be developed that closely resemble the tumour microenvironment in vivo and mimic the crosstalk of the gut-liver axis to establish a correlation with patient prognosis and test the efficacy of available systemic therapies.
Detailed description
The objectives of the project will be 1) to develop HCC PDOs from tumour and non-tumour patient liver tissue obtained from surgical specimens or liver biopsies; 2) to evaluate genomic and transcriptomic changes resulting from the integration of HCC PDOs with patient-derived gut microbiota and host immune cells, and to assess the correlation with patient prognosis; 3) to exploit HCC PDOs to test the efficacy of systemic therapies (ICI and TKIs) and to understand possible modifying cofactors.
Researchers with laboratory experience have been recruited who will focus on the construction of PDOs and the analysis of immune-inflammatory pathways. State-of-the-art technologies will be used, in particular next-generation sequencing, flow cytometry, high-throughput genomic and transcriptomic analysis, ultrafiltration, drug screening, multiplex immunoassays and enzyme immunoassays. The project aims to study the mechanisms involved in the modulation of therapeutic efficacy in patients with HCC. Therefore, the experimental model could be a valuable support to be integrated into real clinical practice to maximise therapeutic efficacy through a fully customised strategy.
Interventions
- Procedure organoids models
Enrolled patients will undergo liver biopsy with sampling of tumor tissue and adjacent nontumor liver parenchyma. Alternatively, patients who are candidates for surgical resection of HCC will be enrolled. The tumor tissue obtained will be used partly for histological confirmation of HCC and then included in kerosene, partly used for organoid construction, and the nontumor tissue will be used solely for organoids. Genomic and transcriptomic changes resulting from the integration of PDO of HCC wit
Primary outcome measures
- Organoid model development [Time frame: 2-18 months]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Capacity to express informed consent;
- Age ≥18 years;
- Suspected radiological diagnosis of HCC or diagnosis of HCC with indications for surgical resection.
Exclusion criteria
- Age < 18 years;
- Contraindications to liver biopsy (ascites, platelets<50,000, INR>1.7);
- Contraindications to HCC resection surgery;
- Active viral infection;
- Refusal to sign informed consent to participate in the study.
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Allocation
- N/A
- Model
- Single group
- Masking
- Open label
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
Study locations
Italy · 1 center
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, UOC CEMAD, Largo A. Gemelli, 8 — Roma
Identifiers
NCT: NCT06929845 · 6845