Radiofrequency ablation and stereotactic body radiotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: should they clash or reconcile?

References

• Ayaru L, Pereira SP, Alisa A, Pathan AA, Williams R, Davidson B, Burroughs AK, Meyer T, Behboudi S. 2007. Unmasking of α-fetoprotein-specific CD4+ T cell responses in hepatocellular carcinoma patients undergoing embolization. J Immunol. 178(3):1914–1922.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Bae SH, Park HC, Yoon WS, Yoon SM, Jung I-H, Lee IJ, Kim JW, Seong J, Kim TH, Nam T-K, et al. 2019. Treatment outcome after fractionated conformal radiotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with child-pugh classification B in Korea (KROG 16-05). Cancer Res Treat. 51(4):1589–1599.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Ben-Josef E, Normolle D, Ensminger WD, Walker S, Tatro D, Ten Haken RK, Knol J, Dawson LA, Pan C, Lawrence TS. 2005. Phase II trial of high-dose conformal radiation therapy with concurrent hepatic artery floxuridine for unresectable intrahepatic malignancies. J Clin Oncol. 23(34):8739–8747.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Bertot LC, Sato M, Tateishi R, Yoshida H, Koike K. 2011. Mortality and complication rates of percutaneous ablative techniques for the treatment of liver tumors: a systematic review. Eur Radiol. 21(12):2584–2596.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Brady LW, Perez CA, Wazer DE. 2013. Perez & Brady’s principles and practice of radiation oncology. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
   Google Scholar
• Bray F, Ferlay J, Soerjomataram I, Siegel RL, Torre LA, Jemal A. 2018. Global cancer statistics 2018: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA Cancer J Clin. 68(6):394–424.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Chen MS, Li JQ, Zheng Y, Guo RP, Liang HH, Zhang YQ, Lin XJ, Lau WY. 2006. A prospective randomized trial comparing percutaneous local ablative therapy and partial hepatectomy for small hepatocellular carcinoma. Ann Surg. 243(3):321–328.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Chew V, Lee YH, Pan L, Nasir NJM, Lim CJ, Chua C, Lai L, Hazirah SN, Lim TKH, Goh BKP, et al. 2019. Immune activation underlies a sustained clinical response to Yttrium-90 radioembolisation in hepatocellular carcinoma. Gut. 68(2):335–346.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Choi C, Yoo GS, Cho WK, Park HC. 2019. Optimizing radiotherapy with immune checkpoint blockade in hepatocellular carcinoma. World J Gastroenterol. 25(20):2416–2429.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Choi D, Lim HK, Rhim H, Kim YS, Lee WJ, Paik SW, Koh KC, Lee JH, Choi MS, Yoo BC. 2007. Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma as a first-line treatment: long-term results and prognostic factors in a large single-institution series. Eur Radiol. 17(3):684–692.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Crocetti L, De Baere T, Lencioni R. 2010. Quality improvement guidelines for radiofrequency ablation of liver tumours. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol. 33(1):11–17.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Culleton S, Jiang H, Haddad CR, Kim J, Brierley J, Brade A, Ringash J, Dawson LA. 2014. Outcomes following definitive stereotactic body radiotherapy for patients with Child-Pugh B or C hepatocellular carcinoma. Radiother Oncol. 111(3):412–417.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Dawson LA, McGinn CJ, Normolle D, Ten Haken RK, Walker S, Ensminger W, Lawrence TS. 2000. Escalated focal liver radiation and concurrent hepatic artery fluorodeoxyuridine for unresectable intrahepatic malignancies. J Clin Oncol. 18(11):2210–2218.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• EASL. 2018. EASL clinical practice guidelines: management of hepatocellular carcinoma. J Hepatol. 69(1):182–236.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Feng K, Yan J, Li X, Xia F, Ma K, Wang S, Bie P, Dong J. 2012. A randomized controlled trial of radiofrequency ablation and surgical resection in the treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma. J Hepatol. 57(4):794–802.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Finn RS, Qin S, Ikeda M, Galle PR, Ducreux M, Kim TY, Kudo M, Breder V, Merle P, Kaseb AO, et al. 2020. Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. N Engl J Med. 382(20):1894–1905.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Gazelle GS, Goldberg SN, Solbiati L, Livraghi T. 2000. Tumor ablation with radio-frequency energy. Radiology. 217(3):633–646.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Gillette E, Mahler P, Powers B, Gillette S, Vujaskovic Z. 1995. Late radiation injury to muscle and peripheral nerves. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 31(5):1309–1318.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Golabi P, Fazel S, Otgonsuren M, Sayiner M, Locklear CT, Younossi ZM. 2017. Mortality assessment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma according to underlying disease and treatment modalities. Medicine. 96(9):e5904.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Goto E, Tateishi R, Shiina S, Masuzaki R, Enooku K, Sato T, Ohki T, Kondo Y, Goto T, Yoshida H, et al. 2010. Hemorrhagic complications of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for liver tumors. J Clin Gastroenterol. 44(5):374–380.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Greten TF, Mauda-Havakuk M, Heinrich B, Korangy F, Wood BJ. 2019. Combined locoregional-immunotherapy for liver cancer. J Hepatol. 70(5):999–1007.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Guckenberger M, Meyer J, Wilbert J, Richter A, Baier K, Mueller G, Flentje M. 2007. Intra-fractional uncertainties in cone-beam CT based image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) of pulmonary tumors. Radiother Oncol. 83(1):57–64.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Guckenberger M, Sweeney RA, Wilbert J, Krieger T, Richter A, Baier K, Mueller G, Sauer O, Flentje M. 2008. Image-guided radiotherapy for liver cancer using respiratory-correlated computed tomography and cone-beam computed tomography. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 71(1):297–304.
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Hanna GG, Murray L, Patel R, Jain S, Aitken KL, Franks KN, van As N, Tree A, Hatfield P, Harrow S, et al. 2018. UK Consensus on Normal Tissue Dose Constraints for Stereotactic Radiotherapy. Clin Oncol. 30(1):5–14.
   Google Scholar
• Hara K, Takeda A, Tsurugai Y, Saigusa Y, Sanuki N, Eriguchi T, Maeda S, Tanaka K, Numata K. 2019. Radiotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma results in comparable survival to radiofrequency ablation: a propensity score analysis. Hepatology. 69(6):2533–2545.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Heimbach JK, Kulik LM, Finn RS, Sirlin CB, Abecassis MM, Roberts LR, Zhu AX, Murad MH, Marrero JA. 2018. AASLD guidelines for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatology. 67(1):358–380.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Jung J, Kim H, Yoon SM, Cho B, Kim YJ, Kwak J, Kim JH. 2018. Targeting accuracy of image-guided stereotactic body radiation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma in real-life clinical practice: in vivo assessment using hepatic parenchymal changes on gd-eob-dtpa-enhanced magnetic resonance images. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 102(4):867–874.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Kim JW, Shin SS, Heo SH, Hong JH, Lim HS, Seon HJ, Hur YH, Park CH, Jeong YY, Kang HK. 2015. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of liver tumors: how we do it safely and completely. Korean J Radiol. 16(6):1226–1239.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Kim N, Cheng J, Jung I, Liang J, Shih YL, Huang WY, Kimura T, Lee VHF, Zeng ZC, Zhenggan R, et al. 2020. Stereotactic body radiation therapy vs. radiofrequency ablation in Asian patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. J Hepatol. 73(1):121–129.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Kim Y-s, Lim HK, Rhim H, Lee MW, Choi D, Lee WJ, Paik SW, Koh KC, Lee JH, Choi MS, et al. 2013. Ten-year outcomes of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation as first-line therapy of early hepatocellular carcinoma: analysis of prognostic factors. J Hepatol. 58(1):89–97.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Kimura T, Takahashi S, Takahashi I, Nishibuchi I, Doi Y, Kenjo M, Murakami Y, Honda Y, Aikata H, Chayama K, et al. 2015. The time course of dynamic computed tomographic appearance of radiation injury to the cirrhotic liver following stereotactic body radiation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma. PLoS One. 10(6):e0125231.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• KLCA. 2019. 2018 Korean liver cancer association-national cancer center korea practice guidelines for the management of hepatocellular carcinoma. Gut and Liver. 13(3):227–299.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• KLSCG-NCC. 2015. 2014 Korean liver cancer study group-national cancer center korea practice guideline for the management of hepatocellular carcinoma. Korean J Radiol. 16(3):465–522.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Lee J, Shin IS, Yoon WS, Koom WS, Rim CH. 2020. Comparisons between radiofrequency ablation and stereotactic body radiotherapy for liver malignancies: meta-analyses and a systematic review. Radiother Oncol. 145:63–70.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Loi M, Desideri I, Dominici L, Francolini G, Garlatti P, Ciccone LP, Stocchi G, Salvestrini V, Meattini I, Livi L. 2020. Thermal Ablation versus SBRT in liver tumours: pros and cons. Med Oncol. 37(6):52.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Lu Z, Wen F, Guo Q, Liang H, Mao X, Sun H. 2013. Radiofrequency ablation plus chemoembolization versus radiofrequency ablation alone for hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials. Euro J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 25(2):187–194.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• NCCN. 2020. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN guidelines ver 3.2020, hepatocellular carcinoma; [accessed 2020 Jun 3]. https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/hepatobiliary.pdf.
   Google Scholar
• Ng KKC, Chok KSH, Chan ACY, Cheung TT, Wong TCL, Fung JYY, Yuen J, Poon RTP, Fan ST, Lo CM. 2017. Randomized clinical trial of hepatic resection versus radiofrequency ablation for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma. Br J Surg. 104(13):1775–1784.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Omata M, Cheng AL, Kokudo N, Kudo M, Lee JM, Jia J, Tateishi R, Han KH, Chawla YK, Shiina S, et al. 2017. Asia-Pacific clinical practice guidelines on the management of hepatocellular carcinoma: a 2017 update. Hepatol Int. 11(4):317–370.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Pan CC, Kavanagh BD, Dawson LA, Li XA, Das SK, Miften M, Ten Haken RK. 2010. Radiation-associated liver injury. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 76(3 Suppl):S94–S100.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Park S, Yoon WS, Rim CH. 2020. Indications of external radiotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma from updated clinical guidelines: diverse global viewpoints. World J Gastroenterol. 26(4):393–403.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Poon RT, Ng KK, Lam CM, Ai V, Yuen J, Fan ST, Wong J. 2004. Learning curve for radiofrequency ablation of liver tumors: prospective analysis of initial 100 patients in a tertiary institution. Ann Surg. 239(4):441–449.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Rajyaguru DJ, Borgert AJ, Smith AL, Thomes RM, Conway PD, Halfdanarson TR, Truty MJ, Kurup AN, Go RS. 2018. Radiofrequency ablation versus stereotactic body radiotherapy for localized hepatocellular carcinoma in nonsurgically managed patients: analysis of the national cancer database. J Clin Oncol. 36(6):600–608.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Rim CH, Cheng J, Huang WY, Kimura T, Lee V, Zeng ZC, Seong J. 2020. An evaluation of hepatocellular carcinoma practice guidelines from a radiation oncology perspective. Radiother Oncol. 148:73–81.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Rim CH, Kim HJ, Seong J. 2019. Clinical feasibility and efficacy of stereotactic body radiotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Radiother Oncol. 131:135–144.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Rim CH, Yang DS, Park YJ, Yoon WS, Lee JA, Kim CY. 2012. Effectiveness of high-dose three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein thrombosis. Jpn J Clin Oncol. 42(8):721–729.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Sanduzzi-Zamparelli M, Bruix J. 2018. Locoregional versus systemic therapy – robust positive data remain elusive. Nat Rev Clin Oncol. 15(9):537–538.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Sanuki-Fujimoto N, Takeda A, Ohashi T, Kunieda E, Iwabuchi S, Takatsuka K, Koike N, Shigematsu N. 2010. CT evaluations of focal liver reactions following stereotactic body radiotherapy for small hepatocellular carcinoma with cirrhosis: relationship between imaging appearance and baseline liver function. Br J Radiol. 83(996):1063–1071.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Sanuki N, Takeda A. 2018. Are head-to-head comparisons between radiofrequency ablation and stereotactic body radiotherapy really necessary for localized hepatocellular carcinoma? J Clin Oncol. 36(24):2563–2564.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Sanuki N, Takeda A, Kunieda E. 2014a. Role of stereotactic body radiation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma. World J Gastroenterol. 20(12):3100–3111.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Sanuki N, Takeda A, Oku Y, Eriguchi T, Nishimura S, Aoki Y, Mizuno T, Iwabuchi S, Kunieda E. 2014b. Threshold doses for focal liver reaction after stereotactic ablative body radiation therapy for small hepatocellular carcinoma depend on liver function: evaluation on magnetic resonance imaging with Gd-EOB-DTPA. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 88(2):306–311.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Seong J, Keum KC, Han KH, Lee DY, Lee JT, Chon CY, Moon YM, Suh CO, Kim GE. 1999. Combined transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and local radiotherapy of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 43(2):393–397.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Tang C, Welsh JW, de Groot P, Massarelli E, Chang JY, Hess KR, Basu S, Curran MA, Cabanillas ME, Subbiah V, et al. 2017. Ipilimumab with stereotactic ablative radiation therapy: phase I results and immunologic correlates from peripheral T cells. Clin Cancer Res. 23(6):1388–1396.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Tateishi R, Shiina S, Teratani T, Obi S, Sato S, Koike Y, Fujishima T, Yoshida H, Kawabe T, Omata M. 2005. Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma. An analysis of 1000 cases. Cancer. 103(6):1201–1209.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Teratani T, Yoshida H, Shiina S, Obi S, Sato S, Tateishi R, Mine N, Kondo Y, Kawabe T, Omata M. 2006. Radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma in so-called high-risk locations. Hepatology. 43(5):1101–1108.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• van den Bijgaart RJ, Eikelenboom DC, Hoogenboom M, Fütterer JJ, den Brok MH, Adema GJ. 2017. Thermal and mechanical high-intensity focused ultrasound: perspectives on tumor ablation, immune effects and combination strategies. Cancer Immunol Immunother. 66(2):247–258.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Wahl DR, Stenmark MH, Tao Y, Pollom EL, Caoili EM, Lawrence TS, Schipper MJ, Feng M. 2016. Outcomes after stereotactic body radiotherapy or radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma. J Clin Oncol. 34(5):452–459.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Wang L, Yao M, Pan L-H, Qian Q, Yao D-F. 2015. Glypican-3 is a biomarker and a therapeutic target of hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatob Pancreat Dis Int. 14(4):361–366.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Wang X, Hu Y, Ren M, Lu X, Lu G, He S. 2016. Efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinomas compared with radiofrequency ablation alone: a time-to-event meta-analysis. Korean J Radiol. 17(1):93–102.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Xue J, Kubicek G, Patel A, Goldsmith B, Asbell SO, LaCouture TA. 2016. Validity of current stereotactic body radiation therapy dose constraints for aorta and major vessels. Semin Radiat Oncol. 26(2):135–139.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Yang W, Yan K, Wu G-X, Wu W, Fu Y, Lee J-C, Zhang Z-Y, Wang S, Chen M-H. 2015. Radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma in difficult locations: strategies and long-term outcomes. World J Gastroenterol. 21(5):1554–1566.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Zhou J, Sun HC, Wang Z, Cong WM, Wang JH, Zeng MS, Yang JM, Bie P, Liu LX, Wen TF, et al. 2018. Guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of primary liver cancer in China (2017 Edition). Liver Cancer. 7(3):235–260.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar