An Exploratory Analysis of Changes in Circulating Plasma Protein Profiles Following Image-Guided Ablation of Renal Tumours Provides Evidence for Effects on Multiple Biological Processes
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 10, 2025
The Use of Reverse Phase Protein Arrays RPPA to Explore Protein Expression Variation within Individual Renal Cell Cancers
Published on: January 22, 2013
Tze Min Wah1, Jim Zhong1, Michelle Wilson2
1Division of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Institute of Oncology, St. James's University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK.
Abstract:
Further biological understanding of the immune and inflammatory responses following ablation is critical to the rational development of combination ablation-immunotherapies. Our pilot exploratory study evaluated the circulating plasma protein profiles after image-guided ablation (IGA) of small renal masses to determine the resultant systemic effects and provide insight into impact both on the tumour and immune system. Patients undergoing cryotherapy (CRYO), radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or microwave ablation (MWA) for small renal tumours were recruited. Blood samples were obtained at four timepoints; two baselines prior to IGA and at 24 h and 1-3 months post-IGA, and a panel of 164 proteins measured. Of 55 patients recruited, 35 underwent ablation (25 CRYO, 8 RFA, 2 MWA) and biomarker measurements. The most marked changes were 24 h post-CRYO, with 29 proteins increasing and 18 decreasing significantly, principally cytokines and proteins involved in regulating inflammation, danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), cell proliferation, hypoxic response, apoptosis and migration. Intra-individual variation was low but inter-individual variation was apparent, for example all patients showed increases in IL-6 (1.7 to 29-fold) but only 50% in CD27. Functional annotation analysis highlighted immune/inflammation and cell proliferation/angiogenesis-related clusters, with interaction networks around IL-6, IL-10, VEGF-A and several chemokines. Increases in IL-8, IL-6, and CCL23 correlated with cryoprobe number (p = 0.01, rs = 0.546; p = 0.009, rs = 0.5515; p = 0.005, rs = 0.5873, respectively). This initial data provide further insights into ablation-induced biological changes of relevance in informing trial design of immunotherapies combined with ablation.
Insights
Image-guided ablation (IGA) of small renal masses triggers significant changes in plasma proteins, particularly cytokines and inflammatory markers post-cryotherapy. Understanding these systemic effects is key for developing effective combination ablation-immunotherapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Developing effective combination ablation-immunotherapies requires a deeper understanding of the immune and inflammatory responses post-ablation.
- Image-guided ablation (IGA) of small renal masses can induce systemic effects impacting both the tumor and the immune system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate circulating plasma protein profiles following IGA of small renal masses.
- To identify systemic effects and gain insights into the impact on the tumor and immune system.
Main Methods:
- Pilot study involving patients undergoing cryotherapy (CRYO), radiofrequency ablation (RFA), or microwave ablation (MWA) for small renal tumors.
- Measurement of 164 plasma proteins at baseline, 24 hours, and 1-3 months post-IGA.
- Analysis of protein changes, functional annotation, and correlation with ablation parameters.
Main Results:
- Significant changes in 47 proteins (29 increased, 18 decreased) were observed 24 hours post-CRYO, including cytokines and proteins related to inflammation, DAMPs, proliferation, hypoxia, apoptosis, and migration.
- Inter-individual variation in protein response was noted, with universal increases in IL-6 but variable increases in CD27.
- Functional analysis revealed immune/inflammation and cell proliferation/angiogenesis clusters, with interaction networks involving IL-6, IL-10, VEGF-A, and chemokines.
- Increases in IL-8, IL-6, and CCL23 correlated with the number of cryoprobes used.
Conclusions:
- IGA of small renal masses induces distinct systemic biological changes, particularly inflammatory and immune responses.
- Cryotherapy demonstrated the most pronounced protein profile alterations at 24 hours post-procedure.
- These findings provide crucial insights for designing future clinical trials combining ablation with immunotherapy.
