Science to practice: Will randomized prospective clinical trials be necessary for RF Ablation of large liver tumors with liposomal doxorubicin?

Summary: In this issue of Radiology, Solazzo et al (1) elucidate the mechanisms involved in cell death and cell repair at radiofrequency (RF) ablation and at combination therapy with RF ablation and the chemotherapeutic drug liposomal doxorubicin in an animal model. They show that combination therapy results in increased oxidative and nitrative stress, as well as DNA damage, and that these cellular changes are responsible for the increase in the zone of necrosis attained with combination therapy.