Cryoablation and Immunotherapy: An Enthralling Synergy for Cancer Treatment

Abstract

As less invasive options for surgical tumor removal, minimally invasive ablative techniques have gained popularity. Several solid tumors are being treated with cryoablation, a non-heat-based ablation technique. Cryoablation data in comparison over time demonstrates better tumor response and faster recovery. Combining cryosurgery with other cancer therapies has been explored to improve the cancer-killing process. Cryoablation with the combination of immunotherapy, results in a robust and efficient attack on the cancer cells. This article focuses on investigating the ability of cryosurgery to create a strong antitumor response when combined with immunologic agents resulting in a synergetic effect. To achieve this objective, we combined cryosurgery with immunotherapy using Nivolumab and lpilimumab. Five clinical cases of lymph node, lung cancer, bone, and lung metastasis were followed and analyzed. In this series of patients, percutaneous cryoablation and addressing immunity agents were technically feasible. In the follow-ups, there appeared to be no radiological evidence of new tumor development.

Keywords: cancer; cryosurgery; immunity.

Figure 1

CT scan image executed.

Figure 2

CT scan (left) and Pet-CT (right) images of hypermetabolic left pulmonary hilar tumor from a female SCC patient.

Figure 3

CT scan image showing hypermetabolic left pulmonary hilar tumor from male SCC patient.

Figure 4

CT scan (left) and Pet- CT (right) images from April 2021 with evidence of bone metastases. The arrows indicate the tumor’s location.

Figure 5

The probe inside the tumor, cryoablation date: 11 August 2021 at the cryosurgery center.

Figure 6

CT scan images indicate the presence of bilateral pulmonary and mediastinal lymph node metastases close to the esophagus. The arrow indicates the tumor’s location.

Figure 7

PETCT (left) and CT scan (right) images of the lymph node were performed after cryotherapy of the 35-year-old female patient.

Figure 8

CT scan image, 6 months after treatment with cryotherapy and immunotherapy of the female patient with SCC.

Figure 9

CT scan image, 6 months after treatment with cryotherapy and immunotherapy of the male patient with SCC.

Figure 10

PET-CT (left) and Ct scan(right) images after cryotherapy in the patient with lung cancer accompanied by bone metastases.

Figure 11

CT scan images after cryotherapy in the patient with bilateral lung metastasis and mediastinal lymph nodes. The arrow indicates where the tumor was located.