Texas has one of the highest death rates due to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of liver cancer, in the United States. We want to continue the Texas Collaborative Center for Hepatocellular Cancer (TeCH) to reduce liver cancer deaths in Texas. Since starting TeCH, we have partnered with the Texas Department of Public Health (TDPH) to write a hepatitis C virus elimination plan. We supported the Texas HCC Consortium (THCCC) cohort, which collects data and samples of patients with cirrhosis over time to identify early markers of liver cancer, and HCC projects funded by CPRIT. We held public annual meetings that attracted multiple stakeholders to exchange ideas and explore ...

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Texas has one of the highest death rates due to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of liver cancer, in the United States. We want to continue the Texas Collaborative Center for Hepatocellular Cancer (TeCH) to reduce liver cancer deaths in Texas. Since starting TeCH, we have partnered with the Texas Department of Public Health (TDPH) to write a hepatitis C virus elimination plan. We supported the Texas HCC Consortium (THCCC) cohort, which collects data and samples of patients with cirrhosis over time to identify early markers of liver cancer, and HCC projects funded by CPRIT. We held public annual meetings that attracted multiple stakeholders to exchange ideas and explore opportunities. TeCH also several held community and education activities, and added an HCC screening tool to the electronic health records of three hospital systems. TeCH has three goals. The first is to provide research support, promote connections between researchers, and help researchers access local and national data resources through a new Population Research Core. We will create opportunities for researchers to meet and discuss their work and provide funding for small studies. We will perform testing of samples from THCCC cohort to expand discovery and encourage collaborations. The second is to inform public health officials about HCC and influence public policy to reduce HCC burden in Texas. We will work with public and private groups to make policy on reducing HCC. We will develop strategies for reducing HCC death and work with TDPH to fight liver disease associated with alcohol and problems with metabolism. The third is to support education of healthcare providers and the public about HCC through the annual meeting, a public newsletter, and a committee to help create educational materials and carry out strategies for preventing HCC. Overall, we have made a large impact that could benefit Texans. We believe we will make a larger impact we can continue our work.

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