Checks liver transplant waitlist patients to refine predictions of dropout risk
Follows adults with advanced liver disease or liver cancer on the transplant waitlist.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: LEOPARD Prospective Validation Cohort 1
Key facts
- Where
- Ghent, BelgiumSee the site
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 18 and 70 years old?
Source: NCT06723275, who can take part
Where in Belgium
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Universitair Ziekenhuis GentGhent, BelgiumNot yet recruiting
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris
- Trial code
- NCT06723275
- Record updated
- 29 July 2026
- Original description
Intro:Read full original descriptionShow less
Validation of LEOPARD Predictive Models of Delisting in Liver Transplant Candidates: the LEOPARD Longitudinal Multicentre Prospective Validation Cohort 1, With Bio- and Tissue Collection
Intro:
The present clinical research protocol is part of the LEOPARD European project (Grant n° 101080964 Horizon Europe) which aims to design and validate new predictive models of mortality among liver transplantation (LT) candidates.
MELD based-liver graft allocation systems have become increasingly inaccurate over the last decade to predict mortality/dropout of liver transplantation (LT) candidates on the waitlist (WL). Wide disparities in mortality/dropout on the WL also exist across European countries, ranging from 5 to 30% according to transplantation indications. In this setting, the European Commission- Horizon Europe funded-LEOPARD project intends to design new, 2nd generation, AI-machine learning-based predictive models of delisting in LT candidates, to better serve on time patients with the highest risk of dropout on the WL and to improve equity of access to LT across Europe.
Hypothesis/Objective The scientific justification of the LEOPARD PVC1 is therefore
1. to build an external cohort of LT candidates to test and validate the LEOPARD models, therefore providing robust evidence for adoption of LEOPARD models by Organ Sharing Organizations (OSOs). 2. to collect granular data, bio- and tissues sampes and images to test last-generation OMICs predictors and radiomics, therefore opening the door to design of 3rd generation, precision medicine-based predictive models.
The primary objective of the LEOPARD longitudinal study is to test and validate AI-based 2nd generation LEOPARD predictive models of mortality/drop out on the waitlist in patients with decompensated cirrhosis, or other end-stage chronic liver diseases, and in patients listed for HCC.
Method Multicenter Prospective longitudinal study in up to 630 enrolments (in case of replacing participants after inclusion) to obtain 600 patients meeting selection criteria, in 30 hospitals in 5 European countries including France, Italy, The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.
Inclusion: Adult [age 18;70] patients listed for:; decompensated cirrhosis as primary diagnosis, irrespective of liver disease etiology (subset1) OR; other end-stage liver diseases requiring LT, listed under MELD offering schemes (subset 2), including notably but not exclusively cholestatic diseases, primary biliary cholangitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis (subset 2) OR; HCC as primary diagnosis, whatever the etiology of the underlying liver disease with or without underlying cirrhosis (subset 3). (HCC diagnosed on Barcelona/EASL criteria or histologically proven. HCC meeting or not Milan criteria, as per center practice.); Patients registered on national waiting lists under the MELD offering schemes, regardless of extra MELD points are affected or not; Patient (or trusted person, family member or close relation, if the patient is unable to express consent) who has been informed and signed the informed consent; Patient affiliated with a health insurance scheme (beneficiary or entitled party).
Exclusion: Tumor vascular invasion (portal or hepatic veins) evidenced by imaging on pre transplantation work-up, including PVT stage 1; Participation in another trial including other studies proposed as part of the European LEOPARD project (cohort associated to WP1 \& WP5 ("LEOPARD TVDCS") or being in the exclusion period following previous interventional research involving the human person, if applicable; Extra-hepatic metastasis of HCC, as assessed by sectional imaging, functional imaging (18 FDG PET CT/MRI) or histologically proven; Women who are pregnant or nursing; Patients who are under safeguard of justice or tutorship or curatorship; Patient on AME (state medical aid).