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Published on: May 8, 2018
Oligometastatic Disease in the Liver: The Role of Interventional Oncology
Ather Adnan1, Rahul Anil Sheth2, Alda Tam2
1Texas A&M University Health Sciences Center, College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.
Abstract:
Oligometastatic disease represents a clinically discrete intermediate stage of cancer progression and is an expanding area of research. While surgical metastatectomy has been recognized for decades as an effective treatment option in select patients, options for metastasis-directed therapy have broadened in scope with advancements in the armamentarium of non- and minimally invasive modalities. Recent preclinical studies investigating the immunology surrounding liver metastases demonstrate treatment resistance to immunotherapy in affected patients and show how locoregional therapy has the ability to overcome this resistance. In this paper, we review advancements in our understanding of oligometastatic disease, metastasis-directed therapy, effect of liver metastasis on response to immunotherapy, and the burgeoning role of image-guided interventions in complementing cancer immunotherapy at the exciting crossroads of interventional oncology and immuno-oncology.
Insights
Oligometastatic cancer, an intermediate stage of cancer, is increasingly researched. New therapies, including locoregional approaches, show promise in overcoming immunotherapy resistance in liver metastases.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Interventional Radiology
Background:
- Oligometastatic disease is an intermediate cancer stage with expanding research.
- Metastasis-directed therapies are evolving beyond surgery.
- Liver metastases can confer resistance to systemic immunotherapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review advancements in oligometastatic disease understanding.
- To explore metastasis-directed therapies, including non- and minimally invasive options.
- To examine the role of locoregional therapy in overcoming immunotherapy resistance in liver metastases.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of preclinical and clinical studies.
- Analysis of current research on cancer immunology and metastasis.
- Synthesis of data on image-guided interventions in oncology.
Main Results:
- Locoregional therapies demonstrate potential to enhance immunotherapy efficacy.
- Image-guided interventions are emerging as key tools in combined treatment strategies.
- Understanding the tumor microenvironment of liver metastases is crucial for treatment response.
Conclusions:
- Metastasis-directed therapy is expanding with novel modalities.
- Combining locoregional interventions with immunotherapy may overcome resistance.
- Interventional oncology and immuno-oncology are converging to improve patient outcomes.

