One of the deadliest cancers. There was hope for a cure

Liver cancer is one of the cancers with the highest mortality. It is also one of the most common forms of cancer in the world. For years, scientists have been looking for an effective way to fight this cancer. Recent studies have shown the effectiveness of a fascinating, non-invasive method of treatment.

1. Researchers from the University of Michigan examined the effect of histotripsy on the treatment of liver cancer in rats — therapy involving the use of ultrasound
2. For the purposes of the study, 22 laboratory rats were implanted with liver cancer. Half of the rodents were left as controls, while the remaining 11 were histotripsy
3. Within three months of monitoring, the tumor was destroyed in 80 percent. animals to be treated. The researchers also saw no signs of disease metastasis or recurrence
4. More information can be found on the Onet homepage  

The rat genome is very similar to the human genome — both in terms of the amount of DNA and the number and type of genes. That is why These rodents are often used for research on the effectiveness of treatment or inhibition of the development of specific disease entities. Although these studies are conducted in rats, their results are analyzed in relation to humans.

This time scientists from the University of Michigan examined the effect of histotripsy on the treatment of liver cancer in rats — utilization therapy ultrasound. The study of American scientists was published in the scientific journal “MDPI” in March this year.

1. See also: The deadly ten among cancers. Symptoms are often not obvious

Histotripsy in the treatment of rats

Histotripsy is an innovative technique where an ultrasound transducer is used to physically smash up cancerous tumors. This treatment is based on ultrasonic cavitation and is similar to the non-invasive breaking of fat cells in slimming treatments.

Designed and built at [the University of Michigan], our transducer delivers ultrasonic pulses of high amplitude and microsecond length — acoustic cavitation — to focus on the tumor and specifically break it down. Even if we miss the entire tumor, we can cause its regression and reduce the risk of future metastases

— Biomedical Engineer Zhen Xu of the University of Michigan told ScienceAlert.

For the purpose of the study, 22 laboratory rats were implanted with liver cancer. Half of the rodents were left as controls, while the remaining 11 were histotripsy. For most of them, the target was 50-75 percent. tumor volume. However, three rats were treated to a lesser extent, then the histotripsy covered only 25%. tumor volume.

1. Pancreatic cancer is extremely malignant. «At the time of diagnosis, 80 percent patients are only suitable for palliative treatment »

The research results

After treatment, researchers looked for signs of progression, metastasis, and immune markers in rodents. In the case of rats subjected to the histotripsy procedure, the treatment proceeded without complications and side effects. Nine out of 11 rodents also had tumor atrophy, so the rats survived without tumors until the end of the study.

In contrast, all 11 control rats showed signs of progression and metastasis. Within three weeks, the tumors reached the maximum size allowed by ethical protocols and the animals were euthanized.

This study demonstrated the potential of histotripsy for effective, non-invasive tumor ablation and the prevention of local tumor progression and metastasis. Even with partial ablation, 9 out of 11 treated rats showed complete tumor regression with no recurrence or metastasis to the 12-week endpoint of the study, as confirmed by MRI and histology

— researchers wrote in their work.

Within three months of monitoring, the tumor was destroyed in 80 percent. animals to be treated. The researchers also saw no signs of disease metastasis or recurrence. Thanks to the use of focused ultrasounds, scientists managed to destroy up to 75 percent. liver tumor volume. According to “ScienceAlert”, it also seems that this procedure stimulates the immune system of the rats to take over control and remove the rest of the tumor.

How will these results affect people?

Histotripsy seems to offer new hope for patients with one of the most lethal forms of cancer in the world.

Histotripsy is a promising option that may overcome the limitations of currently available ablation methods and provide safe and effective non-invasive ablation of a liver tumor. We hope that the conclusions drawn from this study will motivate future preclinical and clinical research on histotripsy with the ultimate goal of clinical application of histotripsy therapy in patients with liver cancer.

— Biomedical engineer Tejaswi Worlikar of the University of Michigan told ScienceAlert.

According to “ScienceAlert”, this procedure is now also being tested in people with liver cancer.

How is your liver doing? Do a liver test package, then discuss the results with your doctor

Also read:

1. The most disturbing symptom of cancer occurs when you wake up
2. Scientists have no doubts: this cancer chooses overweight people
3. Seven foods that oncologists avoid