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Recruiting Phase 2 NCT04204850

NCT04204850 Cabozantinib to Treat Recurrent Liver Cancer Post Transplant

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Clinical Trial Summary
NCT ID NCT04204850
Status Recruiting
Phase Phase 2
Sponsor University Health Network, Toronto
Condition Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment 20 participants
Start Date 2020-08-07
Primary Completion 2026-06-01

Eligibility & Interventions

Sex All sexes
Min Age 18 Years
Max Age N/A
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Interventions
Cabozantinib

Eligibility Fast-Check

Enter your details for a quick preliminary check. This does not replace medical advice.

What to Expect as a Participant

You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.

In Phase 2, researchers evaluate early signs of effectiveness. You may be randomized to receive the active treatment or a comparator. Monitoring continues closely.

This trial targets 20 participants in total. It began in 2020-08-07 with a primary completion date of 2026-06-01.

⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.

Brief Summary

This is a phase 2 study that will assess the investigational drug, cabozantinib, in patients with liver cancer (specifically hepatocellular carcinoma) and who had received a liver transplant as a part of curative care, but the cancer has come back (recurred). The purpose of this study is to see how useful cabozantinib is in controlling the disease of these patients. Cabozantinib blocks the function of various proteins found on the surface of the body's cells (called receptor tyrosine kinases) that are important in the development of cancer tumors. All participants will receive cabozantinib until they are no longer receiving benefit from the study drug or they experience an intolerable side effect.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * Have histologically or cytologically confirmed hepatocellular carcinoma that has recurred. * Previously underwent a liver transplant as a curative treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). * Not amenable to curative surgery or local treatment for recurrent disease. * Must have measurable disease. * No prior treatment with cabozantinib. May be systemic therapy naïve or have received up to 1 line of prior therapy for advanced HCC with sorafenib or lenvatinib. * Age ≥18 years. * Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 01. * Life expectancy of \>3 months. * Normal organ and marrow function. * Adequate cardiac function. * No evidence of active uncontrolled infection. * Understand and willing to sign written informed consent document. * Recovered from prior toxicities to \< grade 1. * Able to take oral medications. * Agree to use effective contraceptive methods until at least 30 days (for women) and 3 months (for men) after the last administration of study medication. Serum pregnancy test should be negative. Exclusion Criteria: * Had systemic therapy or radiotherapy \<3 weeks. * Receiving any other investigational agents. * With known brain metastases unless stable for \>3 months. * History of allergic reactions attributed to cabozantinib. * Has uncontrolled, significant intercurrent or recent illness: * Cardiovascular disorders * Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders including those associated with a high risk of perforation or fistula formation * Major surgery within 2 months before randomization * Cavitating pulmonary lesion(s) or endobronchial disease (untreated) * Lesion invading a major blood vessel * Clinically significant bleeding risk \<3 months * Other clinically significant disorders: * Active infection requiring systemic treatment, known infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or known acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related illness * Serious non-healing wound/ulcer/bone fracture * Malabsorption syndrome * Uncompensated/symptomatic hypothyroidism * Requirement for hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis * Pregnant women. * Any other condition that would, in the Investigator's judgment, contraindicate the patient's participation in the clinical study due to safety concerns or compliance with clinical study procedures * Active hepatitis B or C in liver graft * Patients with a grade \>= 2 elevated liver enzymes who are suspected of cellular rejection will undergo biopsy. Patients diagnosed with cellular rejection in the biopsy sample using the Banff schema are ineligible. * Fibrolamellar carcinoma or mixed hepatocellular cholangiocarcinoma * Moderate or severe ascites * Concomitant use of anticoagulants at therapeutic doses * Has a known history of prior invasive malignancy except if patient has undergone curative-intent therapy with no evidence of disease recurrence for 2 years prior to study entry.

Contact & Investigator

Central Contact

Jennifer Knox, M.D.

✉ jennifer.knox@uhn.ca

📞 416-946-2399

Principal Investigator

Jennifer Knox, M.D.

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can join the NCT04204850 clinical trial?

This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, studying Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.

What phase is the NCT04204850 trial and what does that mean for participants?

Phase 2 trials evaluate whether the treatment shows signs of effectiveness while continuing to monitor safety. More participants are enrolled than in Phase 1 to help refine the treatment protocol.

Is NCT04204850 currently recruiting?

Yes, NCT04204850 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at jennifer.knox@uhn.ca for enrollment information.

Where is the NCT04204850 trial being conducted?

This trial is being conducted at Toronto, Canada.

Who is sponsoring the NCT04204850 clinical trial?

NCT04204850 is sponsored by University Health Network, Toronto. The principal investigator is Jennifer Knox, M.D. at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. The trial plans to enroll 20 participants.

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ClinicalMetric — Independent clinical trial intelligence platform. Not affiliated with NIH, ClinicalTrials.gov, the U.S. FDA, or any pharmaceutical company, hospital, or clinical research organization. Trial data is sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Do not make any treatment, enrollment, or health decisions based solely on information found here — always consult a qualified healthcare professional. Full Disclaimer  ·  Last Reviewed: April 2026  ·  Data Methodology