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Ochsner research team reports safe and effective outcomes with emerging combination therapy for liver cancer
A multidisciplinary team published one of the largest patient outcomes studies on liver cancer therapy
NEW ORLEANS -
A multidisciplinary team of clinicians and translational research scientists at Ochsner recently published one of the largest patient outcomes studies utilizing immunotherapy in combination with liver-directed therapy (LDT) for liver cancer. The article, “Contemporary Clinical Utilization of Radioembolization with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors as First-Line Treatment in HCC: Real-World Report on Safety and Outcomes,” was published recently in the journal “Cancers.”
The momentum for combining immunotherapy with LDT has been building due to its potential to increase the percentage of patients who respond to immunotherapy and extend the duration of time the tumors continue responding to treatment. Several treatment combinations are currently being investigated in clinical trials. As an early adopter of combination treatments, the research team was able to provide an early experience regarding the safety and efficacy of combination treatments in advance of clinical trial results.
The Ochsner faculty research team included:
- Lingling Du, MD, medical oncologist at the Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Jonathan Mizrahi, MD, medical oncologist at the Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Juan Gimenez, MD, an interventional radiologist and section head of Interventional Radiology at Ochsner Health
- Tyler Sandow, MD, interventional radiologist at Ochsner
- Humberto Bohorquez, MD, transplant surgeon at Ochsner
- Ari Cohen, MD, transplant surgeon at Ochsner
- Kelley Núñez, PhD, translational researcher at Ochsner
- Paul Thevenot, PhD, translational researcher at Ochsner health
Why This Research Matters in Louisiana
Liver cancer is a particularly pressing concern in Louisiana. The state has one of the highest rates of liver cancer in the United States, driven by a combination of factors including high rates of obesity, diabetes, hepatitis C and alcohol-related liver disease. Additionally, Louisiana’s unique environmental and socioeconomic challenges disproportionately affect vulnerable patient populations. Conducting research on innovative treatments for liver cancer in this region is critical to improving outcomes for more patients and providing access to cutting-edge therapies for community members who live at elevated risk.
Key Findings
- First real-world data utilizing 90Yttrium transarterial radioembolization in combination with first-line HCC systemic therapy (Atezolizumab/Bevacizumab or Durvalumab/Tremelimumab).
- Over 80% of patients had a positive tumor response to treatment, with 50% of patients showing a complete tumor response with no residual viable tumor at imaging follow-up.
- The initial results also suggest potential improvements in cancer-specific patient outcomes compared to systemic therapy alone.
Since publication on August 23, 2025, the article has been accessed over 1,500 times, highlighting the importance of this work. Interest in the study has led to the results being recently highlighted during the keynote address at Boston Scientific’s master class CATALYZE Y90, at the Society of Interventional Oncology Annual Meeting in the main session “Precision in Practice: Evolving Applications of Y90 in Primary and Metastatic Liver Disease.” The study was highlighted for its implications in ideal patient selection for Intermediate stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC), or BCLC stage B, a form of liver cancer.
It was also featured during multiple sessions of the BackTable Vascular & Interventional Radiology podcast including “Combination Therapy & Clinical Trials for Advanced HCC: What They Really Mean.”
The article highlights the breakthrough approaches to effectively treat liver cancer at Ochsner as well as increasing focus on clinical outcomes research through future partnership with the Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine (XOCOM), a medical school being opened by Xavier University of Louisiana and Ochsner Health.
The open-access article can be found at the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/17/17/2745
About Ochsner Health
Ochsner Health is the leading nonprofit healthcare provider in Louisiana, Mississippi and across the Gulf South, delivering expert care at its 47 hospitals and more than 370 health and urgent care centers. Ochsner is nationally recognized for inspiring healthier lives and stronger communities through expertise, quality and digital connectivity. In 2025, more than 40,000 dedicated team members and 5,000 employed and affiliated physicians at Ochsner cared for more than 1.6 million people from every state in the nation and 65 countries. To learn more about how Ochsner empowers people to get well and stay well, visit www.ochsner.org.
