A combination of ultrasound and nano bubbles destroys tumors
A new technology, developed by the University of Tel Aviv, allows to destroy of cancerous tumors in a targeted way, through the injection into the bloodstream of nano bubbles combined with low-frequency ultrasound waves.
“Our new technology makes it possible, relatively simply, to inject nanobubbles into the bloodstream, which then congregate in the area of the cancerous tumor. Next, using low-frequency ultrasound, we explode the nanobubbles and then the tumor,” said Dr. Tali Ilovitsh, from Tel Aviv University’s Department of Biomedical Engineering.
The researchers explain that therapeutic ultrasound is now a non-invasive alternative to surgery, although it still has one drawback: the heat and high intensity of the ultrasound waves can damage tissue close to the tumor. In the current study, Dr Ilovitsh and her team set out to overcome this problem. In the experiment, which used an animal model, the researchers were able to destroy the tumor by injecting nanobubbles into the bloodstream (as opposed to local injection of microbubbles into the tumor itself), in combination with low-frequency ultrasound waves, with minimal effect on off-target tissue.
Ilovitsh adds that the use of low-frequency ultrasound also increases the depth of penetration while minimizing distortion. “This can help in the treatment of tumors that are deep in the body, and also facilitate the treatment of larger tumor volumes.” The experiment was conducted on breast cancer in a mouse, but it is likely that the treatment will also be effective with other types of cancer and, in the future, also in humans .
- Low frequency nanobubble-enhanced ultrasound mechanotherapy for noninvasive cancer surgery. (pubs.rsc.org)
