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Liver cancer (HCC & metastases) · Interventional immuno-oncology

The liver was our proving ground. It’s where AblationVax began.

For liver cancer and cancers that have spread to the liver — a needle-based treatment that destroys the tumor and turns it into a trigger for body-wide immunity.

Personalized

Minimally invasive

Immune-activating

Outpatient

In plain terms

What we do, in three paragraphs.

The liver is one of the most accessible organs for needle-based treatment, which suits our approach well: ablation plus intratumoral immunotherapy through a single needle, in one session. We often use PEF because it preserves nearby blood vessels and bile ducts that heat-based ablation can damage. This applies both to primary liver cancer (HCC) and to cancers that have spread to the liver from elsewhere.
Many liver cancers — especially those driven by chronic hepatitis B or C — carry viral “fingerprints” the immune system should recognize but doesn’t. Breaking the tumor open exposes those signals and turns a “cold” tumor “hot” — AblationVax, aiming for the abscopal effect.
Because the liver has its own dedicated blood supply, we can also use an intra-arterial option — delivering immunotherapy through the hepatic artery to concentrate it in the liver while sparing the rest of the body. Liver cancer currently has the strongest published evidence for this artery-delivered approach of any tumor type. We coordinate with your hepatology and oncology teams; most patients finish in about a week. Results vary.

One needle, one session: ablation plus immunotherapy delivered where the cancer lives.

AblationVax: the treated tumor teaches your immune system to attack cancer body-wide.

Real outcomes

Beyond TACE, beyond checkpoint sequencing.

After progression on atezolizumab + bevacizumab or durvalumab + tremelimumab, second- and third-line options are limited. Our approach: ablation + intratumoral immunotherapy as next-line consideration for both HCC and liver-dominant metastatic disease.

Individual results vary. These outcomes represent specific patient cases and are not guaranteed for all patients.

Where our approach fits

Treatment options by stage.

Find your diagnosis below to see what standard care offers, where we add to it, and what role our approach plays.

Early HCC (BCLC 0-A)

Standard care
Resection, transplant, or ablation are curative-intent.
What we add
We add intratumoral immune priming.
Curative-intent + priming

Intermediate HCC (BCLC B)

Standard care
TACE is standard.
What we add
PEF or cryoablation + intratumoral immunotherapy for selected patients seeking systemic immune activation.
Adjunct to standard care

Our primary focus

Advanced HCC (BCLC C)

Standard care
Atezolizumab + bevacizumab or durvalumab + tremelimumab first-line.
What we add
Re-engagement after progression.

After IMbrave150 and HIMALAYA regimens, TKIs offer modest benefit — we convert the microenvironment back to hot, locally.

Systemic immune activation

Liver metastases

Standard care
Colorectal, breast, NET, melanoma liver mets — ablation has an established role.
What we add
We add intratumoral immune amplification.
Local + systemic strategy

Beyond ablation alone

Destroy the tumor, then teach your immune system to finish the job.

Standard approaches
Our approach — AblationVax
Early HCC: ablation alone. Intermediate: TACE. Advanced: IV checkpoint + TKI sequences.
Ablation + intratumoral immunotherapy at any stage — for systemic immune activation, not just local control.

TACE: chemotherapy-loaded beads with limited immune engagement.
Intra-arterial immunotherapy + intratumoral cocktails for combined local + systemic effect.

IV atezolizumab: standard systemic exposure.
Delivered directly into the tumor rather than through the bloodstream. The aim is to concentrate treatment at the tumor site and limit whole-body exposure.

Why this approach for liver cancer?

Treats tumors near critical structures

Major vessels and bile ducts. Non-thermal PEF preserves vessel integrity where thermal ablation risks injury.

Converts “cold” tumors into “hot” targets

HCC’s immune microenvironment is heterogeneous — inflamed, excluded, or desert. Ablation + intratumoral immunotherapy addresses each phenotype.

Aims for systemic response

The investigational goal is to determine whether treating a liver tumor can build lasting immune memory against disease outside the liver.

Liver-specific breakthrough

HBV / HCV antigenicity + intra-arterial delivery.

“The liver is one of the most accessible organs for image-guided ablation. HCC has viral antigen drivers in HBV and HCV cases — ablation + intratumoral immunotherapy is particularly powerful in viral-driven disease.”

— Dr. Jason R. Williams

Viral antigen exposure

HBV- and HCV-driven HCC carries viral antigens masked by liver tolerance and T-cell exhaustion. Ablation releases them in situ; immunotherapy amplifies recognition.

Intra-arterial delivery option

Hepatic-artery infusion of immunotherapy is supported by the strongest intra-arterial evidence base of any tumor type as of 2026.

Multi-agent cocktails

CpG, OX40 / CD40 agonists, and checkpoint inhibitors delivered intratumorally to re-engage patients progressing on standard combinations.

“We performed early hepatic Yervoy / Opdivo intratumoral injection in 2015. The liver was our proving ground for AblationVax.” — Dr. Williams

Beyond the procedure: whole-patient support.

We optimize your entire system for the best possible response — and coordinate with the team you already have.

Gut microbiome optimization

Diet, probiotics, and related therapies to support a stronger immunotherapy response.

Off-label protocols

Strategic use of repurposed medications to enhance immune response.

Personalized cocktails

Multi-agent immunotherapy tailored to your specific cancer.

Oncologist coordination

We work alongside your current chemo and radiation team.

What to expect

Your path to treatment.

1

Case review

We review your triphasic CT or MRI liver, PET, and reports (HBV/HCV status, AFP, mutation profile).

2

Protocol design

A personalized cocktail tuned to etiology, Child-Pugh status, and treatment history.

3

Procedure week

Image-guided PEF, cryoablation, or intra-arterial delivery + intratumoral immunotherapy. Outpatient.

4

Follow-up

AFP and imaging at 6–8 weeks, coordination with your home team.

Procedure ~1 hour

Recovery ~2 hours

All outpatient

Is this right for you?

You may be a candidate if:

✓HCC progressing on atezolizumab + bevacizumab or durvalumab + tremelimumab
✓HCC progressing on TKI sequences
✓Early HCC seeking ablation + immune priming
✓Liver-dominant metastatic disease (colorectal, breast, NET, melanoma)
✓Seeking systemic immune activation beyond IV blockade

It may not be suitable if:

—Child-Pugh C cirrhosis or decompensated liver disease
—Active hepatitis without management
—Active severe infection
—Uncorrectable bleeding disorders
—Very poor performance status (ECOG ≥ 3)

Each case is individually evaluated by Dr. Williams’ team.

Track record

Innovation for liver cancer.

2008

Cryoablation for liver tumors

Image-guided hepatic ablation established.

2015

First hepatic intratumoral Yervoy / Opdivo

The liver as the AblationVax proving ground.

Now

PEF + multi-agent protocols + intra-arterial options

For HCC and liver-dominant metastatic disease.

Ready to move forward?

There is more ahead. Take the next step with confidence.

Complimentary evaluation.

Dr. Williams’ team will personally review your case and imaging — no cost, no obligation.

Or email info@williamscancerinstitute.com

Beverly Hills · San Jose del Cabo · Mexico City — most patients complete treatment in one week

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