
"I am glad that taking part in a trial might help others on their own cancer journey.”
This trial is looking at having a new drug called volrustomig (MEDI5752) on its own for liver cancer. It is also looking at volrustomig in combination with bevacizumab or lenvatinib.
It is open to people with a type of liver cancer called hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
You might be able to join the trial if you have liver cancer that has spread into surrounding tissues or to another part of the body. Or you can’t have surgery to remove it.
Doctors are looking for ways to improve treatment for cancer that starts in the liver.
Volrustomig is a new immunotherapy drug. It is also called MEDI5752. It helps the to find and kill cancer cells. To do this it blocks 2 different proteins on the cancer cells. Researchers hope that by blocking 2 proteins it will boost the ability of your immune system to detect and fight cancer.
Lenvatinib and bevacizumab are . They are both usual treatments for liver cancer that has spread.
Bevacizumab blocks a growth factor that makes blood vessels. This growth factor is called VEGF. Blocking this protein stops the cancer from growing blood vessels, this starves the cancer of food and oxygen. This means that it can't grow.
Lenvatinib is a cancer growth blocker. It stops signals that cancer cells use to divide and grow. It also stops cancer cells from forming new blood vessels, which they need to keep growing.
Doctors think that volrustomig could improve treatment. But they aren’t sure so they want to find out more.
In this trial you have one of the following:
The main aims of the trial are to:
The following bullet points are a summary of the entry conditions for this trial. Talk to your doctor or the trial team if you are unsure about any of these. They will be able to advise you.
Who can take part
You may be able to join this trial if all of the following apply.
Who can’t take part
Cancer related
You cannot join this trial if any of these apply. You:
Medical conditions
You cannot join this trial if any of these apply. You:
Other
You cannot join this trial if any of these apply. You:
This is a phase 2 trial. It is taking place worldwide. The team need 120 people to take part.
There are 3 treatment groups. The treatment you have depends on when you join the trial. The treatment groups are:
Treatment
You have volrustomig and bevacizumab as a drip into a vein. You have them once every 3 weeks. You have them on the same day.
Lenvatinib is a tablet. You take them once a day, every day. The trial team give you a diary to record when you take your tablets.
Everyone has treatment for as long as it is working and the side effects aren’t too bad.
You stop treatment if your cancer gets worse. Your doctor will talk to you about treatment options.
Samples for research
The researchers might ask you to give 3 extra tissue samples. They also ask to take some extra blood samples. Where possible, you have these at the same time as your routine blood tests.
They plan to use the samples to:
You can say no to giving the extra tissue samples and some of the blood samples. It won’t affect you taking part in the rest of the trial.
The team might ask to use any leftover samples for future research. You don’t have to agree to this if you don’t want to.
You see the trial doctor and have some tests before you can take part. These include:
You might also need to have an endoscopy.
You have volrustomig and bevacizumab at the hospital. Some hospital visits take about an hour although you could be at the hospital for longer. Other hospital visits take longer and you may have some overnight stays. The trial team will give you more information about this.
During treatment you see the doctor regularly. This is for blood tests and to see how you are.
Trial scans
You have a CT scan or MRI scan:
You stop having the trial scans if your cancer gets worse.
Follow up visits
You see the trial team when you stop treatment for a check up at:
The team then follow you up every 3 months. You might see them at a routine hospital appointment or they may call or email you to see how you are getting on.
The trial team monitor you during treatment and afterwards. Contact your advice line or tell your doctor or nurse if any side effects are bad or not getting better.
Volrustomig can affect the These side effects could happen during treatment or months after treatment has finished. Rarely, these side effects could be life threatening. Your doctor or nurse can explain what these side effects are, the risk of them happening and what to look out for. |
Volrustomig is a new drug and there may be side effects we don’t know about yet.
The possible side effects of volrustomig that affect the immune system include:
Other possible side effects of volrustomig include:
The trial team keep a close eye on you and treat any side effects straight away.
Volrustomig and bevacizumab is a new combination of treatment and so is volrustomig and lenvatinib. There may be side effects of the combination of treatment that we don’t know about.
We have information about the following drugs and their side effects:
The trial team will talk to you about all the side effects of treatment before you join the trial. You will have a chance to ask any questions you may have.
Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.
Dr Richard Hubner
AstraZeneca
If you have questions about the trial please contact our cancer information nurses
Freephone 0808 800 4040
"I am glad that taking part in a trial might help others on their own cancer journey.”