Proposed Study For Liver Cancer Previewed At Interventional Oncology Meeting

Liver cancer is on the rise and emerging therapies for treating it was a focus of the recent 2010 international symposium on Clinical Interventional Oncology (CIO). Riccardo Lencioni, M.D., radiologist and principal investigator of a BioSphere Medical, Inc. (NASDAQ:BSMD) proposed international phase 3 liver cancer treatment study that is under FDA review – the HiQUALITY (HepaSphere™/QuadraSphere® in Liver Cancer Treatment) clinical trial – presented a preview of the protocol and design. The trial is being designed to compare the treatment of patients with localized, non-resectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of liver cancer, with either conventional transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE) or doxorubicin-loaded HepaSphere/QuadraSphere Microspheres transarterial chemoembolization (hqTACE).

BioSphere sponsored the symposium and has submitted the proposed clinical trial that evaluates the effectiveness and safety of its microsphere product to the FDA for approval. Currently in the United States, no embolic is approved for liver cancer. This would be the first phase 3 embolotherapy study for the treatment of liver cancer in the U.S., if approved by the FDA.

“This is a rigorously designed study following highest recommendations for hepatocellular research. It is very important to produce good data in line with evidence-based medicine and best standards,” said Dr. Lencioni. “This is an important hqTACE study to further our development of improved patient care and outcomes.” Read more

What Is Liver Cancer? What Causes Liver Cancer?

Liver cancer begins in the cells of the liver. The liver is a football-sized organ that sits in the upper right portion of the abdomen.

The liver carries out many vital functions, such as digesting proteins and fats, removing toxins from the body, producing chemicals that stop blood clotting and releasing bile in order to aid digestion. Liver cancer is a serious condition because the disruption, or loss, of any of these functions can be fatal.

Primary liver cancer

Cancer that begins in the liver is known as primary liver cancer. The major cause of primary liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This is cancer that begins in the main liver cells. It is more common among men, and those over the age of 60.

Another type of primary liver cancer is cholangiocarcinoma, which is also known as cancer of the bile duct.

Secondary liver cancer

Most cases of liver cancer are known as secondary. It means that the cancer started somewhere else in the body before spreading (metastasizing) to the liver.

The best ways to prevent HCC are to drink alcohol in moderation and avoid behavior that increases the chance of catching hepatitis C (such as injecting drugs and having unprotected sex). Read more