ON THIS PAGE: You will read about the scientific research being done now to learn more about this type of cancer and how to treat it. To see other pages in this guide, use the colored boxes on the right side of your screen, or click “Next” at the bottom.

Doctors are working to learn more about HCC, ways to prevent it, how to best treat it, and how to provide the best care to people diagnosed with this disease. The following areas of research may include new options for patients through clinical trials. Always talk with your doctor about the diagnostic and treatment options best for you.

Cancer vaccines. These are treatments that may help the patient's immune system recognize and attack HCC cells. Sometimes the vaccine is given with an immune system stimulant, such as sargramostim (Leukine, Prokine).

Combination chemotherapy. Different drugs destroy cancer cells in different ways. Using a combination of drugs can increase the chance more cancer cells will be killed; many times one drug will help the other drug work better.

Combining therapies. Researchers are looking into whether combining treatments, such as RFA and chemoembolization, is more effective than using these treatments separately.

Anti-angiogenesis drugs. In addition to sorafenib (see the Treatment section), several other anti-angiogenic agents are being tested in clinical trials.

Greater use of liver transplantation. The possibility of expanding the criteria for liver transplantation (allowing more patients to be eligible) is being studied for HCC.

Gene therapy. This new treatment changes a gene to fight cancer. Although gene therapy is in the very early stages of development, some clinical trials are already underway. In one example, the new gene makes chemotherapy work better. In this type of treatment, a gene can be directly injected into the tumor. The doctor then gives the patient the inactive drug and this new gene helps activate the drug in the tumor. These and the targeted therapy sorafenib (see the Treatment section) are being tested in combination with other treatments as listed above.

Supportive care. Clinical trials are underway to find better ways of reducing symptoms and side effects of current HCC treatments in order to improve patients’ comfort and quality of life.

Looking for More about the Latest Research?

If you would like additional information about the latest areas of research regarding liver cancer, explore these related items that take you outside of this guide:

• To find clinical trials specific to your diagnosis, talk with your doctor or search online clinical trial databases now.

• Review research announced at recent scientific meetings or in ASCO’s peer-reviewed journals.

To continue reading this guide, choose “Next” (below, right) to see a section about coping with the side effects of the disease or its treatment. Or, use the colored boxes located on the right side of your screen to visit any section.