Dr. Jason R Williams
Pioneer in Interventional Immunotherapy
Director of Interventional Oncology and Immunotherapy at the Williams Cancer Institute. | Author of “The Immunotherapy Revolution”
A Pioneer's Journey
Dr. Jason R. Williams has dedicated more than two decades to advancing interventional oncology through the combination of tumor ablation and immunotherapy. As Director of Interventional Oncology at Williams Cancer Institute, he has pioneered treatment approaches that are now gaining recognition from leading cancer research centers worldwide.
The Discovery That Changed Everything
In 2003, Dr. Williams observed his first abscopal effect, where treating one tumor caused distant untreated tumors to regress. This discovery became the foundation of his work: creating an “in-body cancer vaccine” that enables the immune system to recognize and attack cancer throughout the body.
Years ahead of mainstream oncology, Dr. Williams demonstrated the potential of combining local ablation with immune activation. Today, his observations are being explored through clinical trials at institutions such as MD Anderson, Memorial Sloan Kettering, and Stanford Medicine.
The Immunotherapy Revolution Book
The Immunotherapy Revolution offers a clear, evidence-informed look at how immunotherapy is reshaping modern cancer care. Written by Dr. Jason R. Williams, the book explores personalized, tumor-targeted approaches and how they can work alongside conventional treatments—empowering patients and professionals with a deeper understanding of individualized cancer therapy.
Discover everything this book has to offer by clicking the button below.
Research, Recognition & Published Work
Dr. Williams developed the “AblationVax” protocol—a treatment strategy that transforms the patient’s own tumor into a personalized cancer vaccine. By combining various ablation technologies (cryoablation, radiofrequency, microwave) with intratumoral delivery of immune-stimulating agents, this approach aims to:
• Release tumor antigens through controlled tumor destruction
• Activate the immune system locally through intratumoral immunotherapy delivery
• Generate systemic anti-tumor immunity that targets cancer throughout the body
• Create immune memory to help prevent recurrence
This “biopsy-and-treat” protocol allows treatment to begin immediately upon diagnosis, eliminating the typical 4–6 week delay while patients wait for traditional oncology appointments and treatment plans.
The Innovation That Turns Your Tumor Into Your Vaccine
Ablation + Intratumoral Immunotherapy
Our pioneering single-needle procedure destroys cancer cells while simultaneously injecting immunotherapy directly into the tumor bed—creating a personalized cancer vaccine inside your body.
This combination delivers: local tumor destruction PLUS systemic immune activation against cancer throughout the body and is what makes Williams Cancer Institute’s approach unique across the world.
ABLATION
Tumor Destruction
Destroys tumor cells and releases tumor antigens, making hidden cancer visible to the immune system.
PEF Ablation
Nanosecond, biphasic electrical pulses destroy cells without heat. Preserves tumor antigens and triggers immunogenic cell death (ICD).
THE INNOVATION
Your Tumor Becomes a Personalized Cancer Vaccine
Delivered through a single needle in one outpatient procedure. The ablation releases tumor antigens while immunotherapy supercharges the immune response—training your body to hunt cancer throughout your entire body.
INTRATUMORAL IMMUNOTHERAPY
Immune Activation
Powerful immune-stimulating drugs injected directly into the tumor—100% delivered to target vs. 0.5-2% with IV.
Immunotherapy Classes
• Monoclonal Antibodies
• Oncolytic Immunotherapies
• Chemotherapy
• Pattern Recognition Receptor Agonists
• Natural Therapies
• Immune Cell-Based Therapies
• Integrative Therapies
• Cytokines
• Nucleic Acid Sequences
About
Timeline of Innovation
2003 Breast Cancer Ablation Innovations
Performed among the earliest breast tumor radiofrequency (RF) ablation procedures in the United States Pioneered breast tumor cryoablation techniques Observed the abscopal effect in a metastatic breast cancer patient—when ablating liver tumors, distant untreated metastases began to regress This observation, more than a decade before mainstream recognition, became the foundation for his life’s work combining tumor destruction with immune activation
Sources: Dr. Williams’ CV (2023); The Immunotherapy Revolution (2019)
2005 Early Intratumoral Immunotherapy Protocols
Pioneered intratumoral delivery of IL-2 (Interleukin-2) combined with tumor ablation Developed protocols for intratumoral Interferon delivery with ablation Established early clinical experience with intratumoral 3-Bromopyruvate (3BP)—a metabolic inhibitor targeting cancer cell energy production— delivered directly into tumors during ablation procedures
Source: Dr. Williams’ CV (2023); conference presentation, Las Vegas, NV
2008 Expanding Ablation Techniques
Performed microwave ablation of lung tumors
Pioneered cryoablation for pancreatic cancer—one of the most technically challenging ablation procedures due to the organ’s location and sensitivity
Source: Dr. Williams’ CV (2023): “Microwave ablation of lung in 2008, Pancreas cryoablation 2008”
2014 The AblationVax Breakthrough
Combined cryoablation with intratumoral immunotherapy using checkpoint inhibitors Developed protocols combining intratumoral delivery of anti-CTLA-4 (Yervoy/Ipilimumab) with tumor ablation
Pioneered intratumoral anti-PD-1 (Opdivo/Nivolumab) combined with cryoablation
Created the “AblationVax” concept of transforming tumors into personalized cancer vaccines—an approach that preceded mainstream clinical investigation by nearly a decade
Source: Dr. Williams’ CV (2023): “Combination cryoablation and intratumoral immunotherapy 2014”
2015 Multi-Agent Immunotherapy Combinations
Published: “Intratumoral OX40/CpG Potentiates Immunologic Tumor Elimination of Breast Cancer” — Rosenberg, M.A., Williams, J.
Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer 2015, 3 (Suppl 2): P142
https://jitc.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/2051-1426-3-S2-P142
Published: “Image Guided Cryoablation of Cancer with Intra-tumoral Injection of anti-CTLA-4 and PD-1 Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors” — Rosenberg, M.A., Williams, J.
Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer 2015
https://jitc.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/2051-1426-3-S2-P142
Source: Dr. Williams’ CV (2023); conference presentation, Las Vegas, NV
2015 Multi-Agent Immunotherapy Combinations
Developed complex multi-agent protocols combining checkpoint inhibitors (anti-CTLA-4, anti-PD-1) with TLR9 agonists (CpG)
Pioneered intratumoral delivery of PV-10 (Rose Bengal) combined with checkpoint inhibitors and cryoablation.
First-in-human intratumoral combination: Yervoy/Opdivo/CpG/PV-10
JasonWilliamsMD.com | WCI About
Established protocols for intra-arterial delivery of immunotherapy agents to liver tumors via hepatic artery infusion
First-in-human intra-arterial hepatic infusion of Nivolumab and Ipilimumab for liver-dominant metastatic disease
JasonWilliamsMD.com | WCI Clinical Documentation
Source: Dr. Williams’ CV (2023); conference presentation, Las Vegas, NV
2018 Advanced Costimulatory Combinations
- Expanded work with intratumoral OX40 agonists combined with TLR9 agonists (CpG) and checkpoint inhibitors
- Pioneered intratumoral CD40 agonist combinations with cryoablation
- Developed protocols incorporating 4-1BB (CD137) costimulatory agonists with ablation
These multi-modal combinations aimed to maximize both local tumor destruction and systemic immune activation — approaches now being investigated in Phase I/II trials at major cancer centers worldwide.
Sources: Dr. Williams’ CV (2023): “Intra-tumoral injection of OX40/CpG/Ipilimumab/ CD40” Conference: Mexican Society of Mastologia, Merida, Mexico Oct 2018 Media: CancerNetwork SITC 2019 | Targeted Oncology
Education & Credentials
- Medical Education:
Doctor of Medicine (MD), Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - Residency:
Diagnostic Radiology, University of South Alabama Medical Center - Board Certification:
American Board of Radiology (DABR) - Academic:
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Surgery, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine - Professional:
Founding member, Society of Interventional Oncology
Research, Recognition & Published Work
Dr. Williams co-founded Syncromune, Inc., a biotechnology company developing
novel immunotherapy combinations. The company’s research led to five
investigational drugs receiving FDA Fast-track designation for clinical development.
• 2019: Vince Lombardi “Leaders for a Cure” Award
• 2006: Telly Award and Communicator Award for medical education
• 2003: RSNA Research Scholar Award
Author of “The Immunotherapy Revolution: The Best New Hope for Saving
Cancer Patients’ Lives”. All proceeds benefit the Williams Cancer Foundation, supporting cancer research and patient care
Current Validation of Dr. Williams' Pioneering Work
Dr. Williams’ innovative approaches from 2003–2018 are now being studied and validated through clinical trials at major cancer research institutions worldwide. The following examples demonstrate how each of his innovations anticipated mainstream research by 7–15 years.
2003 Innovation → The Abscopal Effect
- What The World Is Doing Now: Phase II studies evaluating systemic immune responses after cryoablation combined with immunotherapy.
- Academic:
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Surgery, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
2014 Innovation → Cryoablation + Checkpoint Inhibitors
- What Dr. Williams Did: Combined cryoablation with intratumoral anti-CTLA-4 (Ipilimumab) and anti-PD-1 (Nivolumab).
- What The World Is Doing Now: Phase II trials demonstrating objective responses and disease control rates in metastatic melanoma.
2014–2015 Innovation → Intratumoral Checkpoint Inhibitor Delivery
- What Dr. Williams Did: Developed direct tumor injection protocols for Yervoy and Opdivo.
- What The World Is Doing Now: Trials showing intratumoral delivery can convert “cold” tumors into responsive “hot” tumors while reducing systemic toxicity.
2015 Innovation → OX40 Agonists with CpG (TLR9)
- What Dr. Williams Did: Published research on OX40 + CpG combinations for breast cancer immunotherapy.
- What The World Is Doing Now: Phase I trials confirming receptor occupancy and T-cell activation.
2015 Innovation → TLR9 Agonists (CpG) with Ablation
- What Dr. Williams Did: Developed intratumoral CpG + checkpoint inhibitor protocols.
- What The World Is Doing Now: Research validating enhanced efficacy of intratumoral administration.
2018 Innovation → CD40 Agonist Intratumoral Therapy
- What Dr. Williams Did: Pioneered intratumoral CD40 agonist combinations with cryoablation.
- What The World Is Doing Now: Clinical results showing systemic immune activation from local CD40 therapy.
Conceptual Validation → “In Situ Vaccination”
- What Dr. Williams Did: Developed tumor ablation + immunotherapy as a personalized in-body vaccine strategy.
- What The World Is Doing Now: Academic publications describing intratumoral immunotherapy as creating an “in situ vaccination” effect.
Selected Key References:
- Nelson BE, Naing A, Fu S, et al. Immunooncol Technol. 2024.
- Osorio JC, Knorr DA, et al. Cancer Cell. 2025.
- Mooradian MJ, Fintelmann FJ, et al. Nature Communications. 2024.
- Liu Q, Zhang C, et al. Frontiers in Oncology. 2024.
- Mullins SR, Vasilakos JP, et al. British Journal of Cancer. 2022.
- Kamga KS, Fiering S. Frontiers in Immunology. 2025.