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Looks back at liver cancer patients in Middle Eastern countries

Reviews past records of adults with liver cancer to describe their care.

Key facts

Who runs it
AstraZeneca
Where
Dammam, Jeddah, Mecca, and Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaSee the 4 sitesAlso in 6 other countries, 13 sites
Trial code
Registry title
CHARM Hepatocellular Carcinoma MEA Study
Status
Recruiting
People taking part
4,000 people, planned
Started
14 Jul 2026
Expected to end
30 Nov 2027
Type of study
Observational
Record updated
14 October 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 study looks at adults in the Middle East whose liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) was confirmed between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2023. It uses their past medical records.

Age
18 years or older
Sex
All sexes
Disease stage
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) confirmed by scans or tissue tests, at any tumor stage

Main reasons for not taking part

  • Another cancer diagnosis on or before the diagnosis date
  • Medical records missing many key details (30% or more of key variables)
  • Previously opted out of sharing medical records
  • Taking part in a clinical trial
  • Pregnant patients

The registry criteria, word for word

Show all 10 criteriaShow less

Who can take part

  • Patients with a radiological or histopathological confirmed diagnosis with HCC in any stage of the tumor between 1st January 2015 and 31st December 2023 (defined as index date)
  • Patient or next of kin/legal representative (for deceased patients at study entry, unless a waiver is granted) willing and able to provide written informed consent according to the local regulations
  • Age 18 years or older, and a lawful adult in the country at the index date
  • Patients with medical records, including etiology, laboratories, radiological, and treatment details will be collected from the participating sites
  • Patients with medical records covering at least a 6-month follow-up period, defined as the time from the index date (the date of the first diagnosis) to the earliest of the following: the patient's death, the last medical record entry, or the data extraction date. Additionally, patients who died within this 6-month period will also be included

Who cannot take part

  • Previously opted out of sharing medical records
  • Patients with other cancer diagnosis on or before index date
  • Patients with records missing information on etiology, laboratory results, radiological findings, or treatment details (≥30% of key variables)
  • Patients participating in clinical trials
  • Pregnant patient

Where in Saudi Arabia

Also in 6 other countries, 13 sites

  • DammamHospital not named in the registryNot yet recruiting
  • JeddahHospital not named in the registryNot yet recruiting
  • Mecca, Mecca RegionHospital not named in the registryNot yet recruiting
  • RiyadhHospital not named in the registryNot yet recruiting

About the trial

What the trial wants to find out

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer and the third reason for cancer-related death worldwide. Cirrhosis is a common risk factor of HCC, as it is found in approximately 70-90% of patients with HCC. Hepatitis C (HCV) and alcohol consumption represent the main causes of cirrhosis and HCC in Western countries; however, hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the leading cause of HCC and cirrhosis in East Asia and Africa. Moreover, HBV and HCV are considered the most common causes of HCC in about 80%-90% of patients. In addition, steatotic liver disease (SLD) is considered one of the main causes of HCC and cirrhosis. Unfortunately, the burden of HCC is great in Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) countries because of the high prevalence of HCV and HBV and the increasing incidence of SLD and metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH).

Read full original descriptionShow less

Several studies illustrated that there are great disparities in the survival rate of patients with HCC according to patient characteristics such as gender, age, and socioeconomic status. In addition, the etiology of HCC may impact the survival and the response to treatment. Moreover, the incidence of HCC could be decreased by the prevention and/or appropriate management of HCC risk factors, especially HBV, HCV infections, and SLD. Therefore, understanding the etiology, patient characteristics, pathogenesis, and optimal management of HCC in the region is considered of prime importance to improve the patient journey of HCC in the MENA region.

The Middle East encompasses countries with varying levels of healthcare development and resources. There is a significant disparity in access to diagnostic tools, therapeutic options, and liver transplantation services. While some countries possess advanced healthcare systems with state-of-the-art facilities, others face challenges such as limited healthcare infrastructure, shortage of specialized healthcare professionals, and inadequate screening programs. These disparities significantly affect the early detection, management, and outcomes of HCC patients.

This study aims to assess the etiology, clinical and tumor characteristics, and treatments received for HCC, as well as clinical outcomes (OS, PFS) in different countries in the MENA region.

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 → Contacts and Locations

Print a page for my doctor

Data and sources

Registry record
Listed on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Official title
A Multicountry, Multicenter, Secondary Data Collection, Retrospective Observational Study to Describe the Characteristics and Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) Among Adults in the Middle East Region
Plain-language title
Looks back at liver cancer patients in Middle Eastern countriesGenerated from the registry record. The registry title is the official one.
AI summary
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Read by machine on 12 November 2026.
Record updated
14 October 2026