Focused Ultrasound Shows Promise in Treating Cancer, Alzheimer’s, and Rare Brain Diseases
Charlottesville, VA – Researchers are increasingly optimistic about the potential of focused ultrasound – using sound waves to precisely target areas within the body – as a non-invasive treatment for a range of conditions, including cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and rare neurological disorders.A growing body of research, spearheaded by scientists at the University of Virginia, suggests the technology can enhance drug delivery, stimulate the immune system, and even halt disease progression.
Richard J. Price, a Professor of biomedical Engineering at the University of Virginia, is currently leading a clinical trial investigating the combination of focused ultrasound and immunotherapy for patients with advanced melanoma. This builds on existing research demonstrating focused ultrasound’s ability to temporarily open the blood-brain barrier, a significant obstacle in delivering therapeutic drugs to the brain.
while initial research focused on prevalent diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s, Price believes focused ultrasound holds significant potential for treating rare conditions.His lab is currently investigating cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM), a rare disease characterized by abnormal blood vessel growth in the brain that can cause debilitating neurological symptoms.Current treatments – surgery and radiation – carry substantial risks.
“We found that using focused ultrasound to open the blood-brain barrier can improve drug delivery to CCMs,” Price explains. “Additionally,we also observed that focused ultrasound treatment itself could stop CCMs from growing in mice,even without administering a drug.”
Studies published in Journal of Controlled Release and Nature Biomedical Engineering detail these findings. While the exact mechanisms behind focused ultrasound’s stabilizing effect on CCMs are still under inquiry, its established safety profile in other applications has prompted neurosurgeons to design clinical trials for CCM patients.
The technology’s safety has been extensively studied in patients undergoing treatment for other conditions, paving the way for expanded clinical applications. Price expresses hope that continued research will establish focused ultrasound as a viable treatment option for numerous devastating rare diseases.
