Re: Immuno-oncology and Its Opportunities for Interventional Radiologists: Immune Checkpoint Inhibition and Potential Synergies with Interventional Oncology Procedures

Abstract

We read with great interest the article by Hickey et al ( 1 Hickey R.M. Kulik L.M. Nimeiri H. et al. Immuno-oncology and its opportunities for interventional radiologists: immune checkpoint inhibition and potential synergies with interventional oncology procedures. J Vasc Intervent Radiol. 2017; 28: 1487-1494 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (22) Google Scholar ) in the November 2017 issue of JVIR entitled “Immuno-oncology and Its Opportunities for Interventional Radiologists: Immune Checkpoint Inhibition and Potential Synergies with Interventional Oncology Procedures.” The authors concluded that: (i) the greatest potential of immune checkpoint inhibitors appears to lie in combination with other treatments that trigger an immune response; (ii) interventional oncology procedures (i.e., ablative and transarterial therapies) could stimulate local and systemic immune responses that are mediated by immune checkpoint proteins; and (iii) exploring the synergy between immune checkpoint inhibitors and interventional oncologic procedures offers tremendous opportunities for both “IOs.” Herein, we would like to present our point of view on the potential opportunities of combining these two modalities for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Immuno-oncology and Its Opportunities for Interventional Radiologists: Immune Checkpoint Inhibition and Potential Synergies with Interventional Oncology ProceduresJournal of Vascular and Interventional RadiologyVol. 28Issue 11PreviewImmunotherapy, specifically the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors, offers a new approach to fighting cancer. Although the results of treatment with immune checkpoint inhibition alone have been remarkable for certain cancers, these results are not universal. Preclinical and early clinical studies indicate the potential for synergistic effects when immune checkpoint inhibition is combined with immunogenic local therapies such as ablation and embolization. This review offers an overview of immunology as it relates to immune checkpoint inhibition and the possibilities for synergy when combined with interventional radiology treatments. Full-Text PDF Reply to: “Re: Immuno-oncology and Its Opportunities for Interventional Radiologists: Immune Checkpoint Inhibition and Potential Synergies with Interventional Oncology Procedures”Journal of Vascular and Interventional RadiologyVol. 29Issue 4PreviewWe appreciate the correspondents’ analysis of our article, although we firmly disagree with their conclusions. For one, the correspondents state that investigation of possible synergies between immune checkpoint inhibitors and ablative therapies for HCC is “irrational” given the current “satisfactory 5-year survival” following radiofrequency ablation. Besides this statement reflecting a complacency with the status quo that contradicts the very spirit of medical research in general, it specifically ignores the growing evidence of systemic effects following ablation, a number of which effects appear to be tumorigenic and mediated by changes in the phenotype of circulating immune cells (1–3). Full-Text PDF