5. Hepatobiliary

5.1. Clinical Trial
- 5.1.1. Liver Cancer
- 5.1.2. Cholangiocarcinoma
5.2. Basic Research

5.0 Hepatobiliary
5.1 Clinical Trial
5.1.1.1 Liver Cancer
Non-metastatic, Unresectable
Specific Selection Criteria: PD-L1, CTLA-4
First-line treatment: Phase 2			TACE + SBRT + Immunotherapy (Anti-PD-L1/ Anti-CTLA-4 antibody)
Study Title	Main Inclusion/Exclusion		Investigational Product	Principal Investigator	Department		Email		Contact number
Sequential TransArterial chemoembolization and stereotactic radiotherapy Followed by durvalumab (MEDI4736) and tremelimumab for downstaging hepatocellular carcinoma for hepatectomy (START-FIT double IO).	Key Inclusion Criteria: Diagnosis of unresectable HCC. No prior systemic therapy nor immunotherapy. No prior trans-arterial chemo-embolization (TACE). No prior radiotherapy to the liver or selective internal radiation (SIRT). Key Exclusion Criteria: Participation in another clinical study with an investigational product within 4 weeks prior to the first dose of study treatment. Any concurrent chemotherapy, IP, biologic, or hormonal therapy for cancer treatment. Prior radiotherapy to the region of liver or selective internal radiotherapy. History of primary immunodeficiency or allogenic organ transplantation. Prior randomisation or treatment in a previous durvalumab and/or tremelimumab clinical study regardless of treatment arm assignment. Active or prior documented gastrointestinal variceal bleeding.		Transarterial Chemoembolisation (TACE) + Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) + Durvalumab (Anti-PD-L1 Monoclonal Antibody) + Tremelimumab (Anti-CTLA-4 Monoclonal Antibody)	Prof. Albert Chi-Yan Chan	Department of Surgery		isabelw@hku.hk		Isabel Chan 2255 5362
5.1.1.2 Liver Cancer
Locally Advanced or Metastatic, Unresectable
First-line treatment: Phase 2			Targeted therapy (Anti-VEGF Antibody / VEGFR Inhibitor)
GEMINI-Hepatobiliary (Protocol ID: D7987C00001): A Phase II, Open-Label, Multi-Drug, Multi-Centre, Master Protocol to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Novel Immunomodulators as Monotherapy and in Combination with Anticancer Agents in Participants with Advanced Hepatobiliary Cancer.		Key Inclusion Criteria: Confirmed locally advanced or metastatic and/or unresectable HCC based on histopathology. Must not have received prior systemic therapy for HCC. At least 1 measurable lesion, not previously irradiated, that can be accurately measured at baseline as ≥ 10 mm in the longest diameter (except lymph nodes, which must have a short axis ≥ 15 mm) with CT or MRI. A lesion which progressed after previous ablation or TACE could be measurable if it meets these criteria. Key Exclusion Criteria: History of allogeneic organ transplantation or in the waiting-list of allogeneic organ transplantation.	Medi5752 (Monovalent bispecific antibody (PD-1 + CTLA-4) Vs. Medi5752 (Monovalent bispecific antibody (PD-1 + CTLA-4) + bevacizumab (Anti-VEGF Monoclonal Antibody) Vs. Medi5752 (Monovalent bispecific antibody (PD-1 + CTLA-4) + lenvatinib (VEGFR Inhibitor)	Dr. Chiang Chi Leung	Department of Clinical Oncology	ychwilly@hku.hk		Will Yeung 22555125
5.1.1.3 Liver Cancer
Advanced, Unresectable
Specific Selection Criteria: Naïve to tyrosine kinase inhibitors
Second-line treatment: Phase 2			Targeted therapy (VEGFR inhibitor)
OUTREACH2 (Protocol ID: MNA-3521-014-RNDZ): An Open Label, Randomised Phase 2 Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of MTL-CEBPA Administered in Combination with sorafenib or sorafenib Alone in TKI naïve Participants with Previously Treated Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) and Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C Virus.		Key Inclusion Criteria: Histologically confirmed advanced HCC with cirrhosis in a participant with a history of hepatitis B and/or C. Unsuitable for liver tumour resection and/or refractory to loco regional therapy. Had progression or recurrence of HCC following previous treatment with atezolizumab in combination with bevacizumab; Participants with progression or recurrence of HCC on non-atezolizumab anti-PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and non-bevacizumab anti-VEGF agent in combination or as any as single agents; No prior treatment with atezolizumab and bevacizumab. Naïve to tyrosine kinase inhibitors, including sorafenib, regorafenib, cabozantinib, and lenvatinib.	MTL-CEBPA + sorafenib (TKI Inhibitor) Vs. Sorafenib	Dr. Thomas Yau	Department of Medicine (Medical Oncology)	medicaloncology@hku.hk		2255 5582

5.1.1.4 Liver Cancer
Advanced or Metastatic
First-line treatment: Phase 1/2		Immunotherapy (anti-LAG-3/ anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody), Targeted therapy (Anti-VEGF Monoclonal Antibody)
Study Title	Main Inclusion/Exclusion	Investigational Product	Principal Investigator	Department	Email	Contact number
RELATIVITY-106 (Protocol ID: CA224-106): A Phase 1/2, Safety Confirmation, Placebo-controlled, Randomized Study of Nivolumab in Combination With Relatlimab and Bevacizumab in Treatment-naive Advanced/Metastatic Hepatocellular Carcinoma	Key Inclusion Criteria: Histologically confirmed advanced/metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Naïve to systemic therapy for advanced/metastatic HCC	Relatlimab (anti-LAG-3 monoclonal antibody) + Nivolumab (anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody) + Bevacizumab (Anti-VEGF Monoclonal Antibody) Vs. Placebo + Nivolumab + Bevacizumab	Dr. Thomas Yau	Department of Medicine (Medical Oncology)	medicaloncology@hku.hk	2255 5582

5.1.1.5 Liver Cancer
Advanced, Metastatic, Non-resectable, Recurrent
Specific Selection Criteria: Tumor association with MYC oncogene
Second-line or Subsequent treatment: Phase 1/2		mRNA therapeutic, Targeted Therapy (tyrosine kinase inhibitor), Immunotherapy (Anti-PD-1/ PD-L1 antibody)
Study Title	Main Inclusion/Exclusion	Investigational Product	Principal Investigator	Department	Email	Contact number
A Phase 1/2 open-label study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and preliminary antitumor activity of OTX-2002 as a single agent and in combination with standard of care in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and other solid tumor types known for association with the MYC oncogene.	Key Inclusion Criteria: Participants with metastatic, advanced (non-resectable), or recurrent solid tumor who progressed on, relapsed after, are refractory to, or intolerant of standard of care (only applicable to Part 1 escalation). Participants with BCLC Stage B (intermediate stage) or C (advanced stage), Child-Pugh A hepatocellular carcinoma who is not amenable to locoregional therapy, refractory to locoregional therapy or not amenable to curative treatment approach. Progressed on, have relapsed after, be refractory to, or be intolerant of at least 1 prior systemic therapy, and without available subsequent standard of care.	OTX-2002 (mRNA therapeutic) Vs OTX-2002 + TKI 1 Vs. OTX-2002 + TKI 2 Vs. OTX-2002 + Anti-PD-1/L1 antibody	Dr. Thomas Yau	Department of Medicine (Medical Oncology)	medicaloncology@hku.hk	2255 5582

5.1.1.6 Liver Cancer
Advanced or Metastatic, Unresectable
Second-line or Subsequent treatment: Phase 1		RNA transcription modulator
Study Title	Main Inclusion/Exclusion	Investigational Product	Principal Investigator	Department	Email	Contact number
A Phase I, Single-arm, Open-label, Dose-escalation, Safety and Pharmacokinetic Study of AU409 Capsule in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Who Failed Standard Treatment (AU409-LEES-2021-03)	Key Inclusion Criteria: Subjects with histologically and/or cytologically confirmed advanced (unresectable or metastatic) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that have failed any of standard treatment (including Immunotherapies and/or Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor therapies, or Oxaliplatin-based systemic chemotherapies), recurrence, or are intolerant. Subjects must have previously completed chemotherapy, radiotherapy, interventional therapy for more than 4 weeks. Key Exclusion Criteria: Subjects of central nervous system metastasis with clinical symptoms. Allergies to any ingredients or excipients in AU409.	AU 409 (RNA transcription modulator)	Dr. Chiang Chi Leung	Department of Clinical Oncology	ychwilly@hku.hk	Will Yeung 2255 5125

5.0 Hepatobiliary
5.2.1 Basic Research
Study Title	Principal Investigator	Department	Email	Contact number
A study of the regulation of TAX1 binding protein 2 by p21-activated protein kinase 4 in liver cancer metastasis	Dr Yick Pang Ching	School of Biomedical Sciences	ypching@hku.hk	Dr Yick Pang Ching 3917 9434
5.2.2 Basic Research
A study of the role of salt-inducible kinase 2 in regulating chemo-resistance of liver cancer cells	Dr Yick Pang Ching	School of Biomedical Sciences	ypching@hku.hk	Dr Yick Pang Ching 3917 9434
Characterization of the role of liver cancer stem cell marker, CD133 in promoting chromosome instability in hepatocarcinogenesis	Dr Yick Pang Ching	School of Biomedical Sciences	ypching@hku.hk	Dr Yick Pang Ching 3917 9434
5.2.3 Basic Research
Functional characterization of the roles of NIMA-related kinase, Nek2 in liver cancer development and metastasis	Dr Yick Pang Ching	School of Biomedical Sciences	ypching@hku.hk	Dr Yick Pang Ching 3917 9434
5.2.4 Basic Research
Functional characterization of the roles of Polo-like kinase 4, Plk4 in hepatocarcinogenesis	Dr Yick Pang Ching	School of Biomedical Sciences	ypching@hku.hk	Dr Yick Pang Ching 3917 9434
5.2.5 Basic Research
The therapeutic potential of Polo-like protein kinase 4 in liver cancer	Dr Yick Pang Ching	School of Biomedical Sciences	ypching@hku.hk	Dr Yick Pang Ching 3917 9434
5.2.6 Basic Research
Characterization of novel HBx regulated gene in hepatocellular carcinoma	Dr Yick Pang Ching	School of Biomedical Sciences	ypching@hku.hk	Dr Yick Pang Ching 3917 9434
5.2.7 Basic Research
A study of the role of p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) in chromosome instability	Dr Yick Pang Ching	School of Biomedical Sciences	ypching@hku.hk	Dr Yick Pang Ching 3917 9434
5.2.8 Basic Research
Molecular mechanisms of Pumilio-Regulated Chromosomal Instability in Hepatocellular Carcinoma	Dr Yick Pang Ching	School of Biomedical Sciences	ypching@hku.hk	Dr Yick Pang Ching 3917 9434
5.2.9 Basic Research
Development of a P-21 activated protein kinase 4 specific inhibitory peptide as a novel hepatocellular carcinoma therapeutic agent	Dr Yick Pang Ching	School of Biomedical Sciences	ypching@hku.hk	Dr Yick Pang Ching 3917 9434
5.2.10 Basic Research
A study of the role of transgelin-2 in hepatocarcinogenesis	Dr Yick Pang Ching	School of Biomedical Sciences	ypching@hku.hk	Dr Yick Pang Ching 3917 9434
5.2.11 Basic Research
The role of centrosomal protein CEP295 in chromosome instability and liver cancer progression	Dr Yick Pang Ching	School of Biomedical Sciences	ypching@hku.hk	Dr Yick Pang Ching 3917 9434
5.2.12 Basic Research
Delineating and translating the mechanistic determinants to improve the clinical management of liver cancer	Dr Clive Yik Sham Chung	School of Biomedical Sciences	cyschung@hku.hk	Dr Clive Yik Sham Chung 3917 9172
5.2.13 Basic Research
Understanding Cancer Stemness in Liver Cancer - From Regulation to Translational Applications	Prof. Oi Lin Irene Ng	Department of Pathology	iolng@hku.hk	2255 2664
5.2.14 Basic Research
A Multidisciplinary Study on CD133 Liver Cancer Stem Cells: Molecular Mechanisms, Clinical Relevance and Therapeutic Implications	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma	School of Biomedical Sciences	stefma@hku.hk	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma 3917 9238
5.2.15 Basic Research
A study of the role and therapeutic potential of targeting protein tyrosine kinase 7 (PTK7) in liver cancer	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma	School of Biomedical Sciences	stefma@hku.hk	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma 3917 9238
5.2.16 Basic Research
AGPAT4: a novel metabolic driver of stemness in hepatocellular carcinoma?	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma	School of Biomedical Sciences	stefma@hku.hk	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma 3917 9238
5.2.17 Basic Research
An Immune Perspective on Exploiting Stemness as a Cancer Cell Vulnerability for the Treatment of Liver Cancer.	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma	School of Biomedical Sciences	stefma@hku.hk	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma 3917 9238
5.2.18 Basic Research
Annexin A3: potential predictive factor for the efficacy of sorafenib and new therapeutic potential in hepatocellular carcinoma.	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma	School of Biomedical Sciences	stefma@hku.hk	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma 3917 9238
5.2.19 Basic Research
Development and applications of a driver-dependent tumor organoid biobank for translational liver cancer research.	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma	School of Biomedical Sciences	stefma@hku.hk	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma 3917 9238
5.2.20 Basic Research
Development and Pre-clinical Evaluation of a Humanized ANXA3 Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibody for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treatment.	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma	School of Biomedical Sciences	stefma@hku.hk	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma 3917 9238
5.2.21 Basic Research
An immune perspective on exploiting stemness as a cancer cell vulnerability for the treatment of liver cancer (CRF).	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma	School of Biomedical Sciences	stefma@hku.hk	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma 3917 9238
5.2.22 Basic Research
PRMT6 in the control of glucose metabolic reprogramming in CD133+ liver cancer stem cells.	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma	School of Biomedical Sciences	stefma@hku.hk	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma 3917 9238
5.2.23 Basic Research
Establishment of a novel ANXA3 neutralizing antibody and its use, alone or in combination with sorafenib, as a potential therapeutic regimen against liver cancer.	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma	School of Biomedical Sciences	stefma@hku.hk	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma 3917 9238
5.2.24 Basic Research
PRMT6 regulates ERK1/2 signal transduction in liver cancer through CRAF.	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma	School of Biomedical Sciences	stefma@hku.hk	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma 3917 9238
5.2.25 Basic Research
Establishment, characterization and applications of normal liver and hepatocellular carcinoma organoid cultures.	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma	School of Biomedical Sciences	stefma@hku.hk	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma 3917 9238
5.2.26 Basic Research
PRMT6 binds to and methylates BAG5, BAG6, AMBRA1 and SQSTM1 to regulate autophagy in liver cancer.	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma	School of Biomedical Sciences	stefma@hku.hk	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma 3917 9238
5.2.27 Basic Research
A pre-clinical study to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of FSTL1 neutralizing antibody in combination with sorafenib for the treatment of HCC.	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma	School of Biomedical Sciences	stefma@hku.hk	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma 3917 9238
5.2.28 Basic Research
Molecular and mechanistic characterization of FUT1 mediated cancer stemness in a glucose restricted liver tumor microenvironment	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma	School of Biomedical Sciences	stefma@hku.hk	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma 3917 9238
5.2.29 Basic Research
A pre-clinical study to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of PTK7 neutralizing antibody in combination with other approved chemotherapy or molecular targeted drugs for the treatment of HCC	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma	School of Biomedical Sciences	stefma@hku.hk	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma 3917 9238
5.2.30 Basic Research
Molecular and mechanistic characterization of SERPINA12 mediated cancer stemness in hepatocellular carcinoma	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma	School of Biomedical Sciences	stefma@hku.hk	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma 3917 9238
5.2.31 Basic Research
Molecular and mechanistic characterization of FUT2 mediated cancer stemness in hepatocellular carcinoma with PTEN loss	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma	School of Biomedical Sciences	stefma@hku.hk	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma 3917 9238
5.2.32 Basic Research
Molecular and mechanistic characterization of SPINK1 mediated cancer stemness in hepatocellular carcinoma	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma	School of Biomedical Sciences	stefma@hku.hk	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma 3917 9238
5.2.33 Basic Research
Functional characterization of fucosyltransferase 1 (FUT1) in promoting cancer stemness properties in hepatocellular carcinoma	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma	School of Biomedical Sciences	stefma@hku.hk	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma 3917 9238
5.2.34 Basic Research
Regulatory role of microRNA-1246 and Wnt/β-catenin pathway interaction in CD133+ liver cancer stem cells-driven hepatocellular carcinoma	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma	School of Biomedical Sciences	stefma@hku.hk	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma 3917 9238
5.2.35 Basic Research
Role of PRMT6 in regulating cancer and stemness properties in hepatocellular carcinoma	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma	School of Biomedical Sciences	stefma@hku.hk	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma 3917 9238
5.2.36 Basic Research
Role of protein arginine methyltransferase 6 (PRMT6) in metabolic reprogramming in hepatocellular carcinoma	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma	School of Biomedical Sciences	stefma@hku.hk	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma 3917 9238
5.2.37 Basic Research
Role of the lipid metabolic regulator DGKH in driving stemness in hepatocellular carcinoma	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma	School of Biomedical Sciences	stefma@hku.hk	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma 3917 9238
5.2.38 Basic Research
Significance of serine protease inhibitor Kazal-type 1 (SPINK1) in liver cancer: function, regulation and therapeutic implication	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma	School of Biomedical Sciences	stefma@hku.hk	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma 3917 9238
5.2.39 Basic Research
Annexin A3 (ANXA3) as a novel therapeutic target for liver cancer	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma	School of Biomedical Sciences	stefma@hku.hk	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma 3917 9238
5.2.40 Basic Research
Prom1+ tumor-propagating cells and their dynamic cellular transition during liver cancer progression	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma	School of Biomedical Sciences	stefma@hku.hk	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma 3917 9238
5.2.41 Basic Research
Targeting uPAR in tumor-associated macrophages of hepatocellular carcinoma	Dr. Rio Ryohichi Sugimura	School of Biomedical Sciences	rios@hku.hk	Dr Rio Ryohichi Sugimura 3917 9269
5.2.42 Basic Research
The immune microenvironment of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma	Dr. Rio Ryohichi Sugimura	School of Biomedical Sciences	rios@hku.hk	Dr Rio Ryohichi Sugimura 3917 9269
5.2.43 Basic Research
Exploiting stemness as a cancer cell vulnerability using hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as a model system	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma	School of Biomedical Sciences	stefma@hku.hk	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma 3917 9238
5.2.44 Basic Research
Using tumour mutational landscape to resolve the cellular origin of hepatocellular carcinoma at single cell level	Dr. Jason Wing Hon Wong	School of Biomedical Sciences	jwhwong@hku.hk	Dr. Jason Wing Hon Wong 3917 9187
5.2.45 Basic Research
Role of MAPK11 in liver cancer stem cells.	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma	School of Biomedical Sciences	stefma@hku.hk	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma 3917 9238
5.2.46 Basic Research
A multidisciplinary study on hepatic cancer stem cells.	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma	School of Biomedical Sciences	stefma@hku.hk	Prof. Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma 3917 9238

Cancer Research in HKUMed5. Hepatobiliary

Cancer Research in HKUMed
5. Hepatobiliary