Human Liver Explants for HIF-1 Alpha Analysis/Comparison (HIF HCC)

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of the study is to compare levels of HIF-1 α (Hypoxia Inducing Factor 1-alpha) in patients who have been treated with various types of liver cancer treatments.

Detailed Description
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In the currently ongoing retrospective aspect of the study, we will obtain pathologic tumor explant specimens from the tumor explant population from 8/1/1994 to 12/31/2005. We will prepare 5-10 slides from each tumor explant block and measure HIF-1α using immunohistochemical staining. We will also be performing a retrospective chart review for specific data points which we believe are needed to assist us in our analysis of the histopathologic specimens. In addition, we will be looking at data in the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database: www.unos.org, which will allow us to develop a more thorough and robust analysis of the subject's experience with liver cancer. This is a public, mandatory reporting vehicle that the government mandates all transplant centers to report to. Even if the subject was transplanted at Northwestern, and moved, accessing UNOS data will allow us to see what the morbidity/mortality for that patient is. Secondly, we will start enrolling subjects in a prospective fashion. Those that either have been treated, those currently undergoing treatment, or those newly diagnosed. From these subjects we will obtain informed consent to; a) look at the medical records (current, future and retrospective data), b) collect blood specimens for future analysis and correlation with their explant slide data, c) allow us to follow these subjects indefinitely to obtain ongoing outcomes data, morbidity and mortality information.

Official Title
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Human Liver Explants for HIF-1 Alpha- Analysis/Comparison

Conditions
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Liver Cancer

Intervention / Treatment
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* Procedure: Blood draw


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Adults, any gender ≥ to 18 years of age Previous, or current diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (clinical or biopsy proven) Resection for hepatoma and/or transplant Patients with diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma from 8/1/94 thru 12/31/05 (retrospective) with biopsy, explant and/or liver transplantation here at Northwestern Memorial Hospital (NMH). Patients previously diagnosed or, recently diagnosed with liver cancer that were treated, currently are being treated our will potentially undergo treatment for the disease. Exclusion Criteria: Any subject outside of the above inclusion criteria

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Patients with liver cancer<br>Patients diagnosed with liver cancer | Procedure: Blood draw<br>* A two-time blood draw: one prior to cancer treatment, the second after cancer treatment. Total amount of blood approximately 8 teaspoons (40mL).<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| HIF-1alpha bio-marker | The primary objective is to compare levels of HIF-1alpha expression in HCC tumor explants which have received: 1) no pre-explant embolization; 2) pre-explant Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE); 3) pre-explant Y90 radio-embolization; 4) pre-explant radiofrequency ablation, or 5) a combination of pre-explant therapies. | December 2015 | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Understand biological behavior of the tumors | Collect blood specimens on those subjects that have had hepatocellular carcinoma, or those currently being treated for it with any of the above mentioned treatments to screen for biomarkers. | December 2015 |