An Effective Case of Radiofrequency Ablation with the Combination of Durvalumab and Tremelimumab Treatment for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
Koji Rinka, Kiyohide Kioka, Rika Shioji et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
Case in brief
A 77-year-old man with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma received durvalumab plus tremelimumab. Imaging showed tumor shrinkage and serum tumor markers normalized, but contrast-enhanced ultrasound detected residual hypervascular lesions. Biopsy showed few intratumoral lymphocytes, suggesting a cold tumor phenotype. Sequential radiofrequency ablation was performed, after which the patient achieved a complete response by modified RECIST.
What made this case unusual
Despite apparent response to immune checkpoint inhibitors, ultrasound and biopsy identified residual hypervascular disease with scarce intratumoral lymphocytes—a cold-tumor pattern.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
Radiologic shrinkage and normalized tumor markers may not exclude residual viable HCC; contrast-enhanced ultrasound and biopsy can reveal persistent disease.
Why it matters
The case suggests that radiofrequency ablation may complement immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment when residual lesions persist, although a single case cannot establish broader efficacy.