If you have primary liver cancer that has spread to other organs or is too advanced to be treated by surgery, Moffitt Cancer Center is looking for you. You must not have had prior chemotherapy treatment.

Hepatocellular carcinoma, or primary liver cancer, is the fifth most common type of tumor. Moffitt is recruiting participants for a phase II study of the oral medication AZD6244, an experimental anti-cancer drug that may stop the growth of cancer cells. The drug is designed to block the pathway of a protein called MEK, which is important for cell survival.

"There's no cure for advanced liver cancer that's not amenable to surgery. We're looking for a novel therapy to improve the outcome for patients with the disease," said Dr. Chris R. Garrett, principal investigator with Moffitt's Gastrointestinal Oncology program.

Participants will take the drug twice a day as long as they are able to tolerate it and will be scheduled for 14 study visits at Moffitt. Drs. Catherine Chodkiewicz, William R. Dinwoodie, Gregory M. Springett and Jonathon R. Strosberg are involved with the study.

The National Cancer Institute is sponsoring the trial, which is also being conducted at Emory University, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Vanderbilt University and VCU Massey Cancer Center.

If you are interested in participating, call clinical research nurse Tiffany Campos at (813) 745-8358.

About Moffitt Cancer Center

Located in Tampa, Florida, Moffitt Cancer Center is the only Florida-based cancer center with the NCI designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center for its excellence in research and contributions to clinical trials, prevention and cancer control. Moffitt currently has 15 affiliates in Florida, one in Georgia and two in Puerto Rico. Additionally, Moffitt is a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, a prestigious alliance of the country's leading cancer centers, and is listed in U.S. News & World Report as one of "America's Best Hospitals" for cancer and ear, nose and throat. Moffitt's sole mission is to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer.

Moffitt Cancer Center