In the phase 2 IR11330 trial, 48 patients with advanced HCC after at least one line failed systemic therapy received subtotal ablation, defined as the complete treatment of 1–5 lesions by hyperthermal ablation and intentionally leaving residual lesions intact, followed by anti-PD-1 toripalimab initiation on days 3 or 14 after ablation therapy or toripalimab monotherapy (NCT03864211). The gene discussed is PDCD1; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.