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Updated May 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov

RECRUITINGPhase 2INTERVENTIONAL

Celecoxib, Durvalumab and Tremelimumab for the Treatment of Patients With Advanced or Metastatic Liver Cancer

Repurposing Celecoxib to Overcome Resistance to Immunotherapy in Advanced HCC (RECON Study)

Celecoxib, Durvalumab and Tremelimumab for the Treatment of Patients With Advanced or Metastatic Liver Cancer (NCT07174570) is a Phase 2 interventional studying Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Metastatic Hepatocellular Carcinoma, sponsored by Emory University. RECRUITING as of the most recent ClinicalTrials.gov update. Talk to your doctor before contacting the trial site.

Important: This information is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

About This Trial

This phase II trial tests how well the combination of celecoxib with durvalaumab and tremellimumab works in treating patients with hepatocellular cancer (liver cancer) that may have spread from where it first started to nearby tissue, lymph nodes, or distant parts of the body (advanced) or that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic). Celecoxib belongs to the family of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents and is used to reduces pain. Celecoxib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as durvalumab and tremelimumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Giving celecoxib with durvalaumab and tremellimumab may better treat patients with advanced or metastatic liver cancer.

What Stage of Research Is This?

Phase 2 trials evaluate whether a treatment actually works against Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma and continue monitoring side effects. Phase 2 enrolls larger groups (typically 100–300 patients) and produces the first real efficacy signal. A successful Phase 2 readout is what unlocks the much larger Phase 3 confirmatory trials needed for FDA approval.

This trial is currently recruiting participants. The sponsor has registered the study with ClinicalTrials.gov as actively enrolling, which means new applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can be considered for screening. Trial status can change between updates — confirm current recruiting status with the study contact before traveling for a screening visit.

With a target enrollment of 39 participants, this is a small study — typical of early-phase research, rare-disease trials, or pilot studies designed to generate preliminary signal before a larger study is launched.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

Who May Qualify: - diagnosed by tissue sample (biopsy-confirmed) hepatocellular cancer (HCC) planned for treatment at gastrointestinal clinics of Emory University's Winship Cancer Institute or Grady Cancer Center - Radiologically measurable disease based on Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version (RECIST) 1.1 - Age ≥ 18 years - Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status ≤ 2 (Karnofsky ≥ 60%) - Platelet count \> 100,000 cells/ ul (within 28 days of cycle 1 day 1, at the discretion of the investigator) - Hemoglobin (Hb) \> 9g/dl (within 28 days of cycle 1 day 1, at the discretion of the investigator) - Absolute neutrophil count \> 1000 cells/dl (within 28 days of cycle 1 day 1, at the discretion of the investigator) - Albumin \> 3g/dl (within 28 days of cycle 1 day 1, at the discretion of the investigator) - Total bilirubin \< 3mg/dl (within 28 days of cycle 1 day 1, at the discretion of the investigator) - Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) \> 60ml/min (based on creatine, and cystatin C estimation where applicable) (within 28 days of cycle 1 day 1, at the discretion of the investigator) - Females of child-bearing potential (FCBP) must have a negative serum or urine pregnancy test prior to starting therapy - FCBP and men treated or enrolled on this protocol must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) prior to study entry, for the duration of study participation, and 3 months after completion of study drug administration. Should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while she or her partner is participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician immediately. \* A female of childbearing potential (FCBP) is a sexually mature woman who: 1) has not undergone a hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy; or 2) has not been naturally postmenopausal for at least 24 consecutive months (i.e., has had menses at any time in the preceding 24 consecutive months) ...See full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

These are translations of the protocol\'s inclusion and exclusion criteria, simplified for patients and caregivers. The original clinical text appears below. Eligibility is ultimately confirmed by the trial site\'s screening process — this summary is a starting point for a conversation with your doctor, not a final determination.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language
Inclusion Criteria: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed hepatocellular cancer (HCC) planned for treatment at gastrointestinal clinics of Emory University's Winship Cancer Institute or Grady Cancer Center * Radiologically measurable disease based on Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version (RECIST) 1.1 * Age ≥ 18 years * Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status ≤ 2 (Karnofsky ≥ 60%) * Platelet count \> 100,000 cells/ ul (within 28 days of cycle 1 day 1, at the discretion of the investigator) * Hemoglobin (Hb) \> 9g/dl (within 28 days of cycle 1 day 1, at the discretion of the investigator) * Absolute neutrophil count \> 1000 cells/dl (within 28 days of cycle 1 day 1, at the discretion of the investigator) * Albumin \> 3g/dl (within 28 days of cycle 1 day 1, at the discretion of the investigator) * Total bilirubin \< 3mg/dl (within 28 days of cycle 1 day 1, at the discretion of the investigator) * Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) \> 60ml/min (based on creatine, and cystatin C estimation where applicable) (within 28 days of cycle 1 day 1, at the discretion of the investigator) * Females of child-bearing potential (FCBP) must have a negative serum or urine pregnancy test prior to starting therapy * FCBP and men treated or enrolled on this protocol must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) prior to study entry, for the duration of study participation, and 3 months after completion of study drug administration. Should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while she or her partner is participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician immediately. \* A female of childbearing potential (FCBP) is a sexually mature woman who: 1) has not undergone a hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy; or 2) has not been naturally postmenopausal for at least 24 consecutive months (i.e., has had menses at any time in the preceding 24 consecutive months) * Completion of all previous cancer directed therapy (including, radiotherapy, liver lesion ablation, bland or chemoembolization and transarterial radioembolization therapy) ≥ 4 weeks before the start of study therapy. * Patients with known history or current symptoms of cardiac disease, or history of treatment with cardiotoxic agents, should have a clinical risk assessment of cardiac function using the New York Heart Association Functional Classification. To be eligible for this trial, patients should be class IIB or better. * Patients without existing cardiac disease that could raise the risk of complications who consent for the trial will proceed with trial participation * Patients with existing cardiac disease that could raise the risk of complications will be referred at the discretion of the investigator to a cardio-oncologist or general cardiologist for cardiac optimization prior to starting celecoxib * Life expectancy \> 12 weeks as determined by the investigator * Willingness and ability of the subject to comply with scheduled visits, drug administration plan, protocol-specified laboratory tests, other study procedures, and study restrictions. This includes willingness to undergo mandatory blood sample draws for evaluation of correlatives * Evidence of a personally signed informed consent indicating that the subject is aware of the neoplastic nature of the disease and has been informed of the procedures to be followed, the experimental nature of the therapy, alternatives, potential risks and discomforts, potential benefits, and other pertinent aspects of study participation. Exclusion Criteria: * Mild to moderate liver dysfunction evidenced by Child Pugh score 7B and above * History of arterial or venous thromboembolic events or gastrointestinal bleeding event. Subjects with portal venous thrombosis are permitted in the study if their treating oncologist does not deem it necessary to treat this with heparin products or direct acting anticoagulant (DOAC) * Current use of warfarin, heparin products and DOACs * Subjects with a history of (non-bleeding) peptic ulcer disease who have been on a proton pump inhibitor for less than 30 days prior to screening visit * Patients who have had immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) therapy within 6 months prior to entering the study or those who have not recovered from adverse events due to liver directed therapy administered more than 4 weeks earlier (i.e., have residual toxicities \> grade 2) * Patients who are receiving any other investigational agents or an investigational device within 28 days before administration of first dose of study drugs * History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to the agents used in study * Contraindication to ICI per investigator discretion * Uncontrolled current illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements * Significant cardiovascular disease (e.g., myocardial infarction, arterial thromboembolism, cerebrovascular thromboembolism) within 3 months prior to start of study therapy; angina requiring therapy; symptomatic peripheral vascular disease; New York Heart Association Class 3 or 4 congestive heart failure; or uncontrolled grade ≥ 3 hypertension (diastolic blood pressure ≥ 100 mmHg or systolic blood pressure ≥ 160 mmHg) despite antihypertensive therapy * Contraindication to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): cardiac conditions that significantly raise the risk of cardiopulmonary complications, including unstable angina, uncontrolled heart failure, recent gastrointestinal (GI) bleed. Note that patients who are stable on low dose aspirin (\< 325mg/day) only will be allowed on study * Current use of other NSAIDs.

Treatments Being Tested

DRUG

Celecoxib

Receive by mouth (PO).

BIOLOGICAL

Durvalumab

Receive intravenously (IV).

BIOLOGICAL

Tremelimumab

Given intravenously (IV).

PROCEDURE

Biospecimen Collection

Undergo blood sample collection

PROCEDURE

Computed Tomography

Undergo Computed Tomography (CT).

PROCEDURE

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Undergo Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).

PROCEDURE

Biopsy Procedure

Undergo tissue biopsy.

Locations (4)

Trial sites listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for this study. Site activation status can vary — confirm with the specific site before traveling for a screening visit.

Grady Health System
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Emory University Hospital Midtown
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Emory University Hospital/Winship Cancer Institute
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital
Atlanta, Georgia, United States

How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial

Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT07174570), the sponsor (Emory University), and the key eligibility criteria — to your next appointment. Your doctor can review the inclusion and exclusion criteria against your medical history, lab values, and current treatments to assess whether you are likely to qualify. They can also help you weigh whether trial participation makes sense alongside your existing care plan.

Useful questions to walk through together: What does the trial protocol require beyond standard care? How long is the active treatment phase, and how long is follow-up? Are there study visits at sites I can reach? Who pays for the trial-specific procedures, and who pays for standard-of-care portions? See our 25 questions to ask about clinical trials guide for a more complete checklist.

Authoritative Sources

The official record for this trial lives on ClinicalTrials.gov — the federal registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. For background on how this trial fits into the FDA approval pathway, see the FDA drug approval process. For oncology-specific guidance for patients considering trials, the National Cancer Institute publishes patient-oriented overviews. International trial registries are aggregated by the WHO ICTRP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NCT07174570 clinical trial studying?

This phase II trial tests how well the combination of celecoxib with durvalaumab and tremellimumab works in treating patients with hepatocellular cancer (liver cancer) that may have spread from where it first started to nearby tissue, lymph nodes, or distant parts of the body (advanced) or that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic). Celecoxib belongs to the family of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents and is used to reduces pain. Celecoxib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell … The full protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and includes the primary outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and study endpoints.

Who can participate in NCT07174570?

Eligibility for this trial depends on the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria set by the sponsor. The plain-English summary above translates the most important criteria into accessible language; the official clinical text is preserved in the collapsible section underneath. Whether you fit any specific trial is a medical decision your doctor needs to confirm — bring the trial information to your treating physician for a full review against your medical history.

How do I contact the trial site for NCT07174570?

Contact information registered with ClinicalTrials.gov is shown in the sidebar of this page. Before reaching out, confirm with your treating physician that this trial is appropriate for your situation. The trial site will then walk you through the screening process to determine final eligibility.

Is participating in a clinical trial safe?

Clinical trials in the United States are regulated by the FDA and overseen by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that review the protocol for safety. Risk varies by trial — Phase 1 studies test new treatments in humans for the first time, while Phase 3 trials use treatments that have already passed earlier safety screening. The informed consent document for any specific trial details the known risks and what to expect. Discuss those risks with your physician before deciding whether to participate.

Where can I verify the data on this page?

Every detail on this page comes directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API. Click "View on ClinicalTrials.gov" in the sidebar to see the official, unmodified record. The federal record is always authoritative; this page is a structured presentation with a plain-English eligibility translation. For background on how clinical trials are regulated, see the FDA drug approval process documentation.

How This Page Is Built

Every field on this page is pulled directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 — no estimates, no proxies. The plain-English eligibility translation is generated from the original protocol text and reviewed for fidelity to the underlying clinical criteria. The original clinical text remains visible in the collapsible section above so users and clinicians can verify the translation. Read the full methodology for the data pipeline and known limitations.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 record for NCT07174570. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT07174570. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov."

Medical disclaimer: This page is informational, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

Last updated 2026-05-08 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.