Transcript Radiofrequency Thermal Ablation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Radiofrequency Thermal Ablation of
Hepatocellular Carcinoma Liver
Nodules Can Activate and Enhance
Tumor-Specific T-Cell Responses
Alessandro Zerbini,1 Massimo Pilli,1 Amalia Penna,1 Guido Pelosi,1
Claudia Schianchi,1
Atim Molinari,1 Simona Schivazappa,1 Carlo Zibera,2 Francesco F.
Fagnoni,2
Carlo Ferrari,1 and Gabriele Missale1
1Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda OspedalieroUniversitaria di Parma, Parma, Italy and 2Laboratory of Experimental
Oncology, Scientific Institute of Pavia, Fondazione Salvatore MaugeriClinica del Lavoro e della Riabilitazione, IRCCS, Pavia, Italy
Relevance
1.Is the objective of the article comparing
therapeutic interventions similar to your
clinical dilemma?
• Yes, the aim of the study was to find out if
radiofrequency thermal ablation can prevent
recurrences in HCC
Validity Guides for treatment:
1. Was the assignment of patients to
treatment randomized? Was randomization
concealed?
• No, there was no randomization of patients to
control and treatment group. The comparison
was made between the T-cell response of the
patient before and after radiofrequency
ablation.
Validity Guides for treatment:
• 2.Was the follow-up sufficiently long and
complete?
• Follow up was done 6 months after therapy
which may not be enough.
Validity Guides for treatment:
3.Was the data analyzed on an intention-totreat basis?
• Yes
4. Was there adequate blinding of subjects and
researchers?
• No
Validity Guides for treatment:
5.Were there similar baseline characteristics in
each group?
• All patients were treated for HCC in cirrhosis
• Other baseline characteristics were not
uniform in all patients
Validity Guides for treatment:
6. What is the magnitude of treatment effect?
• 1 months after radioablation, T-cell response
was measured
• Final outcome measured was recurrence of
the tumor
Over all is the study valid?
• No
External validity
1.Are the results of the study applicable to my
patient?
• Yes
2.Were all clinically important outcomes
considered?
• Yes
3.Is treatment feasible?
• Yes