Translational Liver Cancer (TLC) Consortium

NCI’s Division of Cancer Prevention has established a Translational Liver Cancer (TLC) Consortium to advance translational research focused on early detection of liver cancer. The consortium goals are to conduct studies to improve the surveillance of liver cancer in high-risk populations, increase the fraction of liver cancer detected at an early stage, and better stratify patients at risk of developing liver cancer.

Worldwide, liver cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related death and it is a rising cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is three times higher in men than women, and there are racial and ethnic differences in liver cancer occurrence. The liver cancer burden is higher in African Americans, Hispanics, and Asians. The etiological/risk factors for liver cancer include viral hepatitis (Hepatitis B virus and Hepatitis C virus), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Approximately 80-90% of HCC occurs in patients with underlying liver cirrhosis. Patients with advanced cirrhosis represent a high-risk group for liver cancer.

This Consortium consists of five Translational Research Centers (supported by RFA-CA-17-025) and one Data Management and Coordinating Center (supported by RFA-CA-17-028). These multidisciplinary teams address the following areas:

  • Improving the surveillance for liver cancers in patients with cirrhosis;
  • Increasing the detectability of liver cancers at early stages; and/or
  • Approaches to better stratify patients with cirrhosis, who are at risk of developing liver cancer.

The Translational Research Centers interact closely with the Data Management and Coordinating Center to establish collaborative activities with other members of the Liver Cancer Consortium.

To achieve these goals, the consortium consists of clinical researchers with multidisciplinary expertise in such areas as early cancer detection, biomarkers, surveillance, imaging, and biospecimen science.

TLC Consortium Teams

  • Baylor College of Medicine
  • Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
  • The George Washington University
  • University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
  • University of California, Los Angeles
  • UT Southwestern Medical Center

More about the TLC Consortium Teams

Pre-Application Webinar for RFA-CA-22-031 and RFA-CA-22-032

Date: September 26, 2022

  • Cancer Biomarkers Research Group (CBRG) NCI/DCP TLC Overview Pre-Application
  • Cancer Biomarkers Research Group (CBRG) NCI/DCP TLC Clinical Sites Pre-Application
  • Cancer Biomarkers Research Group (CBRG) NCI/DCP TLC DMCC Pre-Application
  • Discussion & Q&A

View the Pre-Aplication Videos