Surveillance and Treatment Of Primary Hepatocellular Carcinoma: An International Prospective Observational Cohort Study of High-Risk Patients for HCC Using Liquid Biopsy

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study has two purposes. One is to conduct a phase IV biomarker validation study in which the investigators will prospectively survey a cohort of patients at risk for liver cancer using semi-annual abdominal ultrasound and GALAD Score for 5 years. The GALAD score is a serum biomarker-based panel that can aid in early detection among patients with a high risk for liver cancer. One is to establish a bio-repository of longitudinally collected bio-specimens from patients with fibrosis/cirrhosis as a reference set for future research.

Detailed Description
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Vietnam and Saudi Arabia have some of the highest disease burdens of liver cancer globally. Early detection in asymptomatic patients who are at risk for liver is a strategy to improve survival outcomes in liver cancer management. GALAD score (gender, age, alpha-feto protein (AFP)-L%, AFP and DCP) is a serum biomarker-based panel that can improve HCC early detection in patients with liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. In case-control studies and studies with the design of prospective specimen collection, and retrospective blinded evaluation, GALAD has demonstrated promising clinical utility. However, in order to ascertain its potential role in the surveillance of liver cancer early detection, GALAD needs to be validated prospectively for clinical surveillance of liver cancer (i.e. phase IV biomarker validation study). Thus, the investigators propose to conduct a phase IV biomarker validation study to prospectively survey a cohort of patients at risk for HCC (i.e. patients with compensated cirrhosis and irrespective of cirrhosis etiologies), using semi-annual abdominal ultrasound and GALAD Score for 5 years. In doing so, the investigators aim to validate the potential role of GALAD Score for clinical surveillance and early detection of HCC in Vietnam and Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the investigators will collect and archive biospecimens to develop a bio-repository for liver disease. The biorepository will encourage the sharing of biospecimens and collaboration among physicians or physician-researchers between the US, Vietnam, and Saudi Arabia.

Official Title
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Surveillance and Treatment Of Primary Hepatocellular Carcinoma: An International Cohort Study of High-Risk Patients for HCC Using Liquid Biopsy

Conditions
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Liver Cancer, Liver Cirrhosis, Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Early Stage Liver Cancer

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: GALAD Score


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Provision of signed and dated informed consent form Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study and up to 5 years post-study follow up Adults aged 18 or older Both genders and all ethnicities Willingness to give written, informed consent to be enrolled into the database Collection of biosamples (serum, plasma, and urine) at each of the 6 months follow up during the study duration Individuals already confirmed to have cirrhosis with MELD ≤ 15 from any etiology (chronic HBV, chronic HCV, NASH cirrhosis, etc.) For chronic HBV and/or /HCV carrier, with or without on treatment Reside in Vietnam or Saudi Arabia at the time of study and provides contact information (email and/or cell phone number for texting) No prior or current treatment of HCC No cancer history within 5 years No participation in a trial for HCC Treatment No prior solid organ transplant Albumin, Bilirubin, Creatinine and INR labs within past 30 days Imaging showing no HCC within 180 days Diagnosis of fibrosis and cirrhosis based on: histology, image showing cirrhotic liver with splenomegaly and platelets <120 mm3, or esophageal or gastric varices on endoscopy AND presence of chronic liver disease/Fibroscan/Fib-4/APRI/ARFI. For viral hepatitis, kPa>=9kPa, APRI >=1; for NAFLD/NASH (FIB-4 > 1.3 & TE > 8kPa) No significant hepatic decompensation No hepatorenal syndrome AFP labs within 180 days irrespective of AFP titer Two phone numbers and personal identification numbers (CMND number) No known AIDS related diseases No significant co-morbid conditions with life expectancy <5 years No other cancer(s) Exclusion Criteria: Decompensated cirrhosis (variceal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy, ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, and/or hepatorenal syndrome) or MELD>15 Individuals who already have HCC, with or without HCC treatment On liver transplantation list or anticipated to be on the liver transplantation list during the study duration Individuals who cannot, do not want to, or refused to sign the informed consent form (ICF) Any serious or active medical or psychiatric illness, which, in the opinion of the investigator, would interfere with patient treatment, assessment or compliance with the protocol Documentation was not adequate Taking Vitamin K within 7 days prior to clinic follow or having disease affecting Vitamin K levels. Known HIV positive Active drug use or dependence that, in the opinion of the study investigator, would interfere with adherence to study requirements

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Other: GALAD Score|GALAD score, a blood-based biomarker panel (gender, age, AFP, AFP-L3%, DCP)|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| GALAD performance for liver cancer early detection | Performance of GALAD score determined in association with liver cancer detection by LiRADS criteria in a cohort with compensated cirrhosis undergoing prospective surveillance every 6 months for 5 years. | 5 years | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Establishment of a bio-repository of longitudinally collected from patients with cirrhosis to be used for future studies | Proportion of study participants agrees to consent for bio-specimen when invited | 5 years | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Early detection of liver cancer, GALAD, Liver cancer, Viet Nam, Saudi Arabia, Liver cirrhosis