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Taking people in DenmarkPhase 2

Testing a pyruvate MRI scan to detect early liver cancer

Tests a hyperpolarized pyruvate MRI scan for finding small primary liver cancers in adults.

Key facts

Who runs it
Aarhus Universitet
Where
Aarhus N, DenmarkSee the site
Registry title
Early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma by Hyperpolarized [1- 13C]pyruvate MRI
Status
Recruiting
Phase
Phase 2
People taking part
46 people, planned
Started
19 Jun 2023
Expected to end
31 Dec 2027
Type of study
Interventional
Record updated
29 August 2026

Who can take part

AI summary

From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.

The trial is looking for adults with a liver cancer (HCC) larger than 10 mm, or with small liver lesions that need 2 years of repeated check-ups. Healthy controls also take part.

Age
18 to 85 years.
Sex
All sexes can join.
Disease stage
Liver cancer (HCC) larger than 10 mm, confirmed by MRI, CT or biopsy; or one or more small liver lesions that need 2 years of repeated follow-up.

Main reasons for not taking part

  • Chronic kidney disease; for people with tumours, eGFR must be above 30 ml/min/1.73m2
  • Cannot have an MRI with contrast, or has metal implants, a pacemaker, or unsafe medical implants
  • Allergy to pyruvate
  • Significant heart disease, significant obstructive lung disease or severe asthma
  • Hepatic encephalopathy grade 2 or higher, or claustrophobia

The registry criteria, word for word

Show all 18 criteriaShow less

Who can take part

  • Aged 18 – 85 years. The age and gender of the healthy controls of the main study will be matched to the participating patients
  • Pre-menopausal women must be confirmed non-pregnant by an onsite test
  • HCC group: - Diagnosed HCC larger than 10 mm confirmed by standard MRI, CT or confirmed by tumour biopsy. - Subgroup 1: Not elected for liver surgery - Subgroup 2: Elected for liver surgery
  • Small tumor group: - One or more small lesions in the liver requiring 2 years of repeated follow-up as per the EASL guideline. Could be in a liver with a confirmed HCC

Who cannot take part

  • Pacemaker, neurostimulator or cholera implant
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Competing systemic disease (hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes etc. allowed)
  • Allergy to pyruvate
  • Significant cardiac disease (as left ventricular outflow obstruction or heart failure)
  • Significant obstructive lung disease or severe asthma
  • Unsafe medical implants (safety of heart valves, hips and the like must be confirmed)
  • Patients with tumors must have eGFR > 30 ml/min/1.73m2
  • Contraindications for MRI with contrast:
  • Hepatic encephalopathy ≥ grade 2
  • Stents or other devices implanted close to the liver that may cause imaging artefacts
  • Metal foreign bodies such as fragments and irremovable piercings
  • Largest circumference including arms > 160 cm
  • Claustrophobia

Where in Denmark

  • Aarhus UniversitetshospitalAarhus N, DenmarkTaking people

About the trial

What the trial wants to find out

This project seeks to determine the potential of hyperpolarized pyruvate MRI in early characterization of primary liver cancer - particularly small tumors.

Questions to ask the study team

  1. How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
  2. Are travel costs paid?
  3. Can I keep my own doctor?
  4. What happens if I want to stop?

Contact the study team: see the registry record

Print a page for my doctor

Data and sources

Registry record
Listed on the EU's official list of trials (CTIS).
Official title
Early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma by Hyperpolarized [1- 13C]pyruvate MRI
Plain-language title
Testing a pyruvate MRI scan to detect early liver cancerGenerated from the registry record. The registry title is the official one.
AI summary
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Read by machine on 9 November 2026.
Record updated
29 August 2026