Meet the Data: Conversations with Leading Experts on the Role of HCC and Immunotherapy
SIO Meet the Data Series: Explore the evolving landscape of hepatocellular carcinoma treatment in this four-part podcast series, featuring conversations with leading experts on the role of immunotherapy. This series features expert discussions highlighting emerging clinical trial evidence and addressing key knowledge gaps relevant to the implementation of these novel therapeutic regimens into clinical practice.

Episode 4: Ablation vs. Ablation + Combination Immune Therapy

Can combining ablation with immune therapy improve patient outcomes in liver cancer? Experts Gentry King and Isabel Newton examine the latest clinical data comparing ablation alone versus ablation plus immune therapy. Moderated by Elena Violari, the discussion evaluates efficacy, recurrence rates, and synergistic mechanisms, while exploring how cancer stage, tumor location, and genetic markers guide patient selection for these evolving treatment strategies.

Moderator:

• Elena Violari, MD | Loyola University Chicago

Faculty:

• Gentry King, MD | University of Washington

• Isabel G. Newton, MD, PhD | University of California San Diego

Resources

Gentry King, MD

https://www.fredhutch.org/en/provider-directory/gentry-king.html

Isabel G. Newton, MD, PhD

https://providers.ucsd.edu/details/22369/radiology

Checkmate 90W Trial:

https://ascopubs.org/doi/full/10.1200/JCO.22.01436

IMbrave150 Trial

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2824%2900800-6/fulltext

LEAP-012 Trial:

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)02575-3/abstract

Emerald-Y90 Trial:

https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.2025.43.16_suppl.TPS4221

Disclaimer

This discussion is intended for healthcare professionals for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice and should not replace individualized patient care decisions.

Meet the Data: Conversations with Leading Experts on the Role of HCC and Immunotherapy
SIO Meet the Data Series: Explore the evolving landscape of hepatocellular carcinoma treatment in this four-part podcast series, featuring conversations with leading experts on the role of immunotherapy. This series features expert discussions highlighting emerging clinical trial evidence and addressing key knowledge gaps relevant to the implementation of these novel therapeutic regimens into clinical practice.

Episode 3: Exploring the Role of (Neo)Adjuvant Immunotherapy Pre-Transplant vs. Adjuvant Immunotherapy Post-Transplant

Should immunotherapy come before or after transplant? Experts Parissa Tabrizian and Beau Toskich explore one of the most critical questions in transplant oncology: when is the right time to introduce immunotherapy? Moderated by William Rilling, the discussion dives into the clinical evidence surrounding neoadjuvant and adjuvant immuno-oncology (IO) therapies in transplant settings.

Moderator:

• William Rilling, MD | Medical College of Wisconsin
Faculty:

• Beau Toskich, MD | Mayo Clinic
• Parissa Tabrizian, MD | Mount Sinai

Resources

Beau Toskich, MD

https://www.mayoclinic.org/biographies/toskich-beau-m-d/bio-20309020

Parissa Tabrizian, MD

https://profiles.mountsinai.org/parissa-tabrizian

Emerald-Y90 Trial:

https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.2025.43.16_suppl.TPS4221

STORM Trial:

https://gut.bmj.com/content/68/6/1065

LEAP-012 Trial:

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)02575-3/abstract

ImmunoXXL Trial:

https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05879328

IMbrave150 Trial:

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2824%2900800-6/fulltext

Disclaimer

This discussion is intended for healthcare professionals for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice and should not replace individualized patient care decisions.

Meet the Data: Conversations with Leading Experts on the Role of HCC and Immunotherapy
SIO Meet the Data Series: Explore the evolving landscape of hepatocellular carcinoma treatment in this four-part podcast series, featuring conversations with leading experts on the role of immunotherapy. This series features expert discussions highlighting emerging clinical trial evidence and addressing key knowledge gaps relevant to the implementation of these novel therapeutic regimens into clinical practice.

Episode 2: Local Therapy vs. Combination (Local + Systemic) Therapy Synopsis

How will the LEAP-012 and EMERALD-1 studies shape the future of liver cancer treatment? Experts Riad Salem and Stephen Chan analyze key differences in trial design, methodology, and clinical outcomes. Moderated by Lead Moderator Venkatesh Krishnasamy with Co-Moderator Sean Golden, the discussion explores how these pivotal studies may influence patient selection, treatment sequencing, and the real-world application of evolving care protocols.

Moderator:

• Venkatesh Krishnamsamy, MD | University of Alabama Birmingham

Co-Moderator:

• Sean Golden, MD | University of Wisconsin

Faculty:

• Riad Salem, MD, MBA | Northwestern University
• Stephen Chan, MBBS, MRCP, FHKCP, FHKAM, FRCP, FRCP, MD | Chinese University of Hong Kong

Resources

Riad Salem, MD, MBA

https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/faculty-profiles/az/profile.html?xid=17542

Stephen Chan, MBBS, MRCP, FHKCP, FHKAM, FRCP, FRCP, MD

https://www.med.cuhk.edu.hk/staff/professor-chan-lam-stephen

Emerald-Y90 Trial:

https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.2025.43.16_suppl.TPS4221

LEAP-012 Trial:

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)02575-3/abstract

Disclaimer

This discussion is intended for healthcare professionals for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice and should not replace individualized patient care decisions.

Meet the Data: Conversations with Leading Experts on the Role of HCC and Immunotherapy
SIO Meet the Data Series: Explore the evolving landscape of hepatocellular carcinoma treatment in this four-part podcast series, featuring conversations with leading experts on the role of immunotherapy. This series features expert discussions highlighting emerging clinical trial evidence and addressing key knowledge gaps relevant to the implementation of these novel therapeutic regimens into clinical practice.

Episode 1: Local Therapy vs. Combination (Local + Systemic) Therapy Synopsis

Should combination therapies redefine the standard of care in liver cancer? Experts Lingling Du and Christopher Malone examine the latest clinical evidence and debate the benefits and challenges of combining treatment modalities. Moderated by Edward Kim with Co-Moderator Cynthia De la Garza, the discussion analyzes efficacy, toxicity, cost, and patient selection criteria to determine which patients may benefit most from combination approaches.

Moderator:
• Edward Kim, MD | Mount Sinai

Co-Moderator:
• Cynthia De la Garza, MD | Mayo Clinic

Faculty:
• Lingling Du, MD | Ochsner Health
• Christopher Malone, MD | WashU Medicine

Resources

Dr. Lingling Du, MD

https://www.ochsner.org/doctors/lingling-du/

Dr. Christopher Malone, MD

https://physicians.wustl.edu/items/chris-malone/

IMbrave050 Trial:

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)00800-6/fulltext

LEAP-012 Trial:

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)02575-3/abstract

Rowan Study:

https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.2023.41.4_suppl.TPS622

Immune activation underlies a sustained clinical response to Yttrium-90 radioembolisation in hepatocellular carcinoma:

https://gut.bmj.com/content/gutjnl/68/2/335.full.pdf

Disclaimer

This discussion is intended for healthcare professionals for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice and should not replace individualized patient care decisions.