Liver Histotripsy Mediated Abscopal Effect-Case Report

We present a case report that shows an abscopal effect in the context of a safety and efficacy clinical trial for histotripsy as ablation technique in liver tumors. The abscopal effect appears in the form of reduction in the volume of nontreated tumor lesions in the same organ, as well as sustained reduction of tumor marker [carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)] that extends weeks away of the procedure. Histotripsy is a novel noninvasive, nonthermal, and nonionizing precise ablation technique for tissue destruction guided by ultrasonography. We discuss the feasibility of this technique compared with other focal therapies and its possibilities as immune system enhancer.

Automated summary

The study presents a case report on the abscopal effect observed in a clinical trial for liver tumors, where untreated tumor lesions also show reduction in volume and tumor marker levels decrease weeks after the procedure. Histotripsy, a novel noninvasive and nonthermal ablation technique guided by ultrasonography, is discussed in terms of its feasibility and potential as an immune system enhancer compared to other focal therapies.