Hepatocellular Carcinoma Ablation: Technology, Biology, and Immunologic Synergy
A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2026 | Viewed by 72
Special Issue Editor
Interests: irreversible electroporation (IRE); pancreatic cancer (PDAC/LAPC); hepatobiliary malignancies; ablation-immunotherapy synergy; translational surgical oncology; tumor microenvironment modulation; epigenetic regulation in cancer; intratumoral immunotherapy; drug delivery enhancement (ablation-mediated); multimodal cancer therapy optimization
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, driven by rising incidence and limited curative options for advanced disease. Locoregional ablation therapies—including radiofrequency, microwave, irreversible electroporation, and emerging non-thermal platforms—have evolved beyond cytoreduction to become biologically active interventions that shape the tumor microenvironment. Increasing evidence highlights their capacity to induce immunogenic cell death, enhance antigen presentation, and synergize with systemic immunotherapies. This Special Issue aims to explore the intersection of ablation technology, tumor biology, and immune modulation in HCC. We welcome original research, translational studies, and reviews addressing technical innovation, mechanistic insights, biomarker development, and combination strategies that may redefine multidisciplinary care and improve patient outcomes.
This Special Issue aims to:
This Special Issue aims to define the evolving role of ablation in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as both a locoregional and biologically active therapy. Emphasis will be placed on how ablative strategies influence tumor biology, modulate the immune microenvironment, and integrate with systemic therapies. By prioritizing clinically relevant and mechanistically grounded investigations, this Issue seeks to clarify the role of ablation within contemporary multidisciplinary care and identify opportunities for biomarker-driven and combination treatment approaches.
Suggested Themes and Article Types for Submissions
In this Special Issue, original research articles and authoritative reviews are welcome. Areas of interest include:
- Ablation technologies and clinical optimization.
Comparative effectiveness of RFA, MWA, IRE, and emerging platforms; technical factors influencing local control and recurrence.
- Biologic effects of ablation.
Impact on tumor microenvironment, vascular and stromal remodeling, and mechanisms of immunogenic cell death.
- Ablation and immunotherapy.
Rationale, sequencing, and outcomes of combination strategies with immune checkpoint inhibitors or other systemic agents.
- Biomarkers and response assessment.
Circulating, tissue-based, and imaging biomarkers predictive of response, recurrence, and survival.
- Clinical outcomes and patient selection.
Survival, recurrence patterns, and comparative effectiveness across disease stages and treatment strategies.
- Integration into multidisciplinary care.
Role of ablation alongside resection, transplantation, and liver-directed therapies (e.g., TACE, Y90).
- Emerging technologies and translational models.
Novel non-thermal platforms, radiomics, and ex vivo or organoid-based therapeutic testing.
Article types of interest include prospective and retrospective clinical studies, translational investigations, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and select technical or early-phase reports with clear clinical relevance.
I/We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Prof. Dr. Robert C.G. Martin
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Cancers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- hepatocellular carcinoma
- ablation therapy
- radiofrequency ablation
- microwave ablation
- irreversible electroporation
- tumor microenvironment
- immunogenic cell death
- immunotherapy
- combination therapy
- biomarkers
- locoregional therapy
- liver cancer
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
