The liver cancer challenge

Why precision medicine?

Precision medicine allows a patient’s treatment to be customised. Precision medicine starts by combining genomic data, that is data about the genes within the cancer, with patient information such as treatment response, development of drug resistance and overall outcome. Using these data from hundreds of individuals, we develop molecular profiles that correlate with different disease stages (ie from NAFLD/fatty liver disease to HCC) and different treatment responses.

These molecular profiles can then be used to predict an individual patient’s cancer progression and help clinicians determine the best treatment options.

Tissue donated by patients as part of this program will help us generate the molecular profiles required to develop a precision medicine approach for liver cancer. These data will significantly contrbute to improving treatment for future patients.

Our Research

The Liver Cancer Collaborative (LCC) has partnered with the Perkins Cancer Biobank to build one of the world’s most extensive tissue repositories for liver cancer. LCC clinicians and scientists are collecting samples of blood, healthy tissue and cancer tissue from hundreds of participants across their cancer journey. These samples will provide a wealth of information about how liver cancer develops and will enable identification of biomarkers that have the potential to predict treatment response, drug resistance, recurrence and outcome. Samples in the LCC biorepository are used across 3 major research programs.

  • Biomarker discovery for diagnosis, treatment response and disease outcomes

    We are undertaking whole exome (DNA) and transcriptome (RNA) sequencing on the same tumour samples to identify new biomarkers for liver cancer. Some of these biomarkers will be potential targets for new liver cancer treatments and will guide future research programs and clinical trials.

    LCC scientists are using state-of-the-art single cell sequencing technologies to identify “signatures” to predict patient outcome and inform treatment options.

    Chemical modifications to DNA such as methylation, can alter the genetic profile of a cell, for example, turn on genes that would make a cell resistant to treatment. LCC scientists are building catalogues of chemical modifications for all stages of cancer treatment and progression.  Using a simple blood test, this information could be used to diagnose and monitor progression of liver cancer. 


  • New drug discovery

    We are developing highly representative laboratory models of liver cancer including patient-derived organoids (a 3D replica of the tumour in a dish). Each organoid we develop will have its own genetic profile determined by our genomic studies. Using a semi-automated high throughput drug screening platform, we are testing each patient-derived organoid against hundreds of drugs and drug combinations. These studies could identify new drugs that are effective against liver cancer. In addition, these data, when combined with DNA and RNA analysis, will help match the best treatment option to any patient’s genetic profile.

  • Precision medicine to inform clinical decision making

    The LCC has partnered with Aridhia to develop a secure Digital Research Environment that will provide a platform for sharing data generated through these research programs. In this secure digital environment, detailed clinical data will be combined with state-of-the-art research data to develop precision medicine for liver cancer. In addition, LCC clinical collaborators will drive the development of a clinically responsive database to assist with clinical decision making.