Cryoablation

What it is

Cryoablation is a minimally invasive cancer treatment that uses extreme cold to destroy cancer cells. It involves inserting a probe into the tumor under imaging guidance and freezing the cells to induce cell death.

What research shows

Studies suggest that cryoablation is effective in treating various types of cancer, including liver, lung, and prostate cancer. Evidence indicates that cryoablation can achieve high local control rates, with some studies reporting tumor response rates of up to 90%. However, more research is needed to determine the long-term survival benefits and optimal patient selection.

Current status

Cryoablation is a viable treatment option for patients with localized or oligometastatic cancer who are not candidates for surgery or other treatments. However, its limitations include the risk of complications, such as nerve damage, and the need for careful patient selection.

Key studies

• PMID 41818612

  Cryoablation was found to activate the cGAS-STING-CXCL10 axis in macrophages to enhance anti-tumor immunity in non-small cell lung cancer.

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• PMID 41791965

  Predictors of early and late oncologic failure after primary prostate cryoablation for localized prostate cancer were identified, including clinical and procedural features.

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• PMID 41778426

  A combination of pabolizumab, cryoablation, and renvastinib was found to be effective in treating unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

  PubMed ↗
• PMID 41713028

  Artificial intelligence-assisted cryo-dose estimation and tissue injury modeling were used to assess side effects in MRI-guided prostate cryoablation.

  PubMed ↗
• PMID 41677856

  Cryoablation combined with an intratumoral TLR9 agonist and dual checkpoint inhibitors was found to stimulate an anti-liver cancer immune response.

  PubMed ↗