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May 15 2025
1A pioneering development at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) may significantly boost the precision and safety of focused ultrasound therapy for cancer. Researchers have engineered a novel drug-loaded nanoparticle that works in tandem with ultrasound energy to target and destroy tumors more effectively—while minimizing harm to surrounding healthy tissue.
The findings, published in Nano Letters, focus on improving a technique known as mechanical tumor ablation, a form of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) used to destroy solid tumors without surgery. Although HIFU is a promising alternative to invasive procedures, it often requires high energy levels, which can generate heat and damage nearby tissues. Moreover, incomplete tumor destruction can leave behind cancer cells that may cause recurrence.
In response to these challenges, researchers from the Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center (CEDAR) at the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute developed a microscopic particle—about a thousand times smaller than a sheet of paper—that enhances the precision of ultrasound therapy. According to Michael Henderson, B.A., co-lead author of the study, the nanoparticles are designed with tiny surface bubbles that burst under ultrasound, intensifying the mechanical effect that breaks up the tumor. The particles are also coated with a peptide, a molecule that improves their ability to stick to and penetrate tumor cells.
To further strengthen the therapy, scientists attached a powerful chemotherapy drug to the peptide-coated nanoparticle. "It’s a one-two punch," explained Li Xiang, Ph.D., CEDAR postdoctoral scholar and co-lead author. "The ultrasound disrupts the tumor structure, while the drug clears out any lingering cancer cells that could lead to a recurrence."
In preclinical models using human melanoma, the dual treatment significantly outperformed either ultrasound or drug therapy alone. The new nanoparticles reduced the energy required for ultrasound therapy by up to 100-fold, enabling short pulses that avoid overheating surrounding tissues.
When tested in mice implanted with human melanoma tumors, the treatment resulted in notable tumor reduction—and in some cases, complete disappearance—without major side effects. Survival was extended beyond 60 days, demonstrating both efficacy and safety.
Adem Yildirim, Ph.D., senior author and assistant professor in the OHSU School of Medicine, emphasized the broader potential of this innovation. “What began in 2018 as a project on nanoparticle-assisted tumor ablation has evolved into a flexible platform,” he said. “We’re now exploring its application in immunotherapy and other areas like infections and cardiovascular disease.”
Michael Henderson, currently a Ph.D. student in biomedical engineering at OHSU and a member of CEDAR, has a long-standing connection with the institution—born at OHSU in 1998 and now conducting cutting-edge research under the mentorship of Drs. Stuart Ibsen and Yildirim. His focus lies in enhancing immunotherapies and advancing noninvasive diagnostic tools using smart nanomaterials.
Though still in the early stages, this research represents a meaningful step toward more effective and less invasive cancer treatments. “This could change the way we approach hard-to-treat tumors,” Henderson noted, expressing optimism about future clinical applications that combine ultrasound, smart drug delivery, and potentially immunotherapy.
Source:https://phys.org/news/2025-05-drug-nanoparticles-precision-safety-ultrasound.html
This is non-financial/medical advice and made using AI so could be wrong.
