1
|
Verma Y, Perera Molligoda Arachchige AS. Advances in Tumor Management: Harnessing the Potential of Histotripsy. Radiol Imaging Cancer 2024; 6:e230159. [PMID: 38639585 PMCID: PMC11148838 DOI: 10.1148/rycan.230159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Tissue ablation techniques have long been used in clinical settings to treat various oncologic diseases. However, many of these techniques are invasive and can cause substantial adverse effects. Histotripsy is a noninvasive, nonionizing, nonthermal tissue ablation technique that has the potential to replace surgical interventions in various clinical settings. Histotripsy works by delivering high-intensity focused ultrasound waves to target tissue. These waves create cavitation bubbles within tissues that rapidly expand and collapse, thereby mechanically fractionating the tissue into acellular debris that is subsequently absorbed by the body's immune system. Preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of histotripsy in treating a range of diseases, including liver, pancreatic, renal, and prostate tumors. Safety outcomes of histotripsy have been generally favorable, with minimal adverse effects reported. However, further studies are needed to optimize the technique and understand its long-term effects. This review aims to discuss the importance of histotripsy as a noninvasive tissue ablation technique, the preclinical and clinical literature on histotripsy and its safety, and the potential applications of histotripsy in clinical practice. Keywords: Tumor Microenvironment, Ultrasound-High-Intensity Focused (HIFU), Ablation Techniques, Abdomen/GI, Genital/Reproductive, Nonthermal Tissue Ablation, Histotripsy, Clinical Trials, Preclinical Applications, Focused Ultrasound © RSNA, 2024.
Collapse
|
2
|
Iqbal MF, Shafique MA, Abdur Raqib M, Fadlalla Ahmad TK, Haseeb A, M. A. Mhjoob A, Raja A. Histotripsy: an innovative approach for minimally invasive tumour and disease treatment. Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2024; 86:2081-2087. [PMID: 38576932 PMCID: PMC10990312 DOI: 10.1097/ms9.0000000000001897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Histotripsy is a noninvasive medical technique that uses high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) to treat liver tumours. The two main histotripsy methods are boiling histotripsy and cavitation cloud histotripsy. Boiling histotripsy uses prolonged ultrasound pulses to create small boiling bubbles in the tissue, which leads to the breakdown of the tissue into smaller subcellular fragments. Cavitation cloud histotripsy uses the ultrasonic cavitation effect to disintegrate target tissue into precisely defined liquefied lesions. Both methods show similar treatment effectiveness; however, boiling histotripsy ensures treatment stability by producing a stable boiling bubble with each pulse. The therapeutic effect is ascribed to mechanical damage at the subcellular level rather than thermal damage. This article discusses the mechanisms, treatment parameters, and potential of histotripsy as a minimally invasive procedure that provides precise and controlled subcellular damage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Abdul Haseeb
- Department of Medicine, Jinnah Sindh Medical University
| | | | - Adarsh Raja
- Department of Medicine, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Woodhead G, Lee S, Struycken L, Goldberg D, Hannallah J, Young S. Interventional Radiology Locoregional Therapies for Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:217. [PMID: 38398726 PMCID: PMC10890186 DOI: 10.3390/life14020217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Surgical resection remains the cornerstone of curative treatment for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), but this option is only available to a small percentage of patients. For patients with unresectable iCCA, systemic therapy with gemcitabine and platinum-based agents represents the mainstay of treatment; however, the armamentarium has grown to include targeted molecular therapies (e.g., FGFR2 inhibitors), use of adjuvant therapy, liver transplantation in select cases, immunotherapy, and locoregional liver-directed therapies. Despite advances, iCCA remains a challenge due to the advanced stage of many patients at diagnosis. Furthermore, given the improving options for systemic therapy and the fact that the majority of iCCA patients succumb to disease progression in the liver, the role of locoregional therapies has increased. This review will focus on the expanding role of interventional radiology and liver-directed therapies in the treatment of iCCA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gregory Woodhead
- Department of Medical Imaging, Division of Interventional Radiology, University of Arizona Medical Center, Tucson, AZ 85712, USA; (L.S.); (D.G.); (J.H.); (S.Y.)
| | - Sean Lee
- Department of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, Middletown, NY 10027, USA;
| | - Lucas Struycken
- Department of Medical Imaging, Division of Interventional Radiology, University of Arizona Medical Center, Tucson, AZ 85712, USA; (L.S.); (D.G.); (J.H.); (S.Y.)
| | - Daniel Goldberg
- Department of Medical Imaging, Division of Interventional Radiology, University of Arizona Medical Center, Tucson, AZ 85712, USA; (L.S.); (D.G.); (J.H.); (S.Y.)
| | - Jack Hannallah
- Department of Medical Imaging, Division of Interventional Radiology, University of Arizona Medical Center, Tucson, AZ 85712, USA; (L.S.); (D.G.); (J.H.); (S.Y.)
| | - Shamar Young
- Department of Medical Imaging, Division of Interventional Radiology, University of Arizona Medical Center, Tucson, AZ 85712, USA; (L.S.); (D.G.); (J.H.); (S.Y.)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Verma Y, Arachchige ASPM. Revolutionizing cardiovascular care: the power of histotripsy. J Ultrasound 2024:10.1007/s40477-023-00848-7. [PMID: 38217765 DOI: 10.1007/s40477-023-00848-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Histotripsy, an innovative ultrasonic technique, is poised to transform the landscape of cardiovascular disease management. This review explores the multifaceted applications of histotripsy across various domains of cardiovascular medicine. In thrombolysis, histotripsy presents a non-invasive, drug-free, and precise method for recanalizing blood vessels obstructed by clots, minimizing the risk of vessel damage and embolism. Additionally, histotripsy showcases its potential in congenital heart defect management, offering a promising alternative to invasive procedures by creating intracardiac communications noninvasively. For patients with calcified aortic stenosis, histotripsy demonstrates its effectiveness in softening calcified bioprosthetic valves, potentially revolutionizing valve interventions. In the realm of arrhythmias, histotripsy could play an important role in scar-based ventricular tachycardia ablation, eliminating channel-like isthmuses of slowly conducting myocardium. Histotripsy`s potential applications also extend to structural heart interventions, enabling the safe sectioning of basal chordae and potentially addressing mitral regurgitation. Furthermore, it showcases its versatility by safely generating ventricular septal defects, providing a non-invasive means of creating intracardiac communications in neonates with congenital heart disease. Yet, most supporting studies are in-vitro or animal studies and there are possible challenges in translating experimental data on cardiac histotripsy to the clinical level. As histotripsy continues to evolve and mature, its remarkable potential in cardiovascular disease management holds promise for improving patient outcomes and reducing the burden of invasive procedures in the field of cardiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yash Verma
- Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Norwich, UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Worlikar T, Hall T, Zhang M, Mendiratta-Lala M, Green M, Cho CS, Xu Z. Insights from in vivo preclinical cancer studies with histotripsy. Int J Hyperthermia 2024; 41:2297650. [PMID: 38214171 PMCID: PMC11102041 DOI: 10.1080/02656736.2023.2297650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Histotripsy is the first noninvasive, non-ionizing, and non-thermal ablation technique that mechanically fractionates target tissue into acellular homogenate via controlled acoustic cavitation. Histotripsy has been evaluated for various preclinical applications requiring noninvasive tissue removal including cancer, brain surgery, blood clot and hematoma liquefaction, and correction of neonatal congenital heart defects. Promising preclinical results including local tumor suppression, improved survival outcomes, local and systemic anti-tumor immune responses, and histotripsy-induced abscopal effects have been reported in various animal tumor models. Histotripsy is also being investigated in veterinary patients with spontaneously arising tumors. Research is underway to combine histotripsy with immunotherapy and chemotherapy to improve therapeutic outcomes. In addition to preclinical cancer research, human clinical trials are ongoing for the treatment of liver tumors and renal tumors. Histotripsy has been recently approved by the FDA for noninvasive treatment of liver tumors. This review highlights key learnings from in vivo shock-scattering histotripsy, intrinsic threshold histotripsy, and boiling histotripsy cancer studies treating cancers of different anatomic locations and discusses the major considerations in planning in vivo histotripsy studies regarding instrumentation, tumor model, study design, treatment dose, and post-treatment tumor monitoring.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tejaswi Worlikar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Timothy Hall
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Man Zhang
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | | | - Michael Green
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Radiation Oncology, Ann Arbor VA Healthcare, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Clifford S. Cho
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Research Service, Ann Arbor VA Healthcare, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Zhen Xu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Qi T, Jing Y, Deng J, Chang J, Sun W, Yang R, Liu X, Zhang Q, Wan M, Lu M. Boiling Histotripsy Using Dual-Frequency Protocol on Murine Breast Tumor Model and Promotes Immune Activation. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ULTRASONICS, FERROELECTRICS, AND FREQUENCY CONTROL 2023; 70:1773-1785. [PMID: 37871099 DOI: 10.1109/tuffc.2023.3326561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Histotripsy is an ultrasound-guided, noninvasive, nonthermal ablation therapy that can mechanically lyse target tissues. There have been no reports of enhanced histotripsy for large-volume triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). This study aims to verify the ability of a novel approach of dual-frequency mode combined with two-stage millisecond-length ultrasound pulses (DF-TS) to accelerate the treatment of murine subcutaneous 4T1 tumors and determine immune changes after treatment. A custom-designed 1.1-/2.2-MHz two-element confocal-annular array was used to treat approximately 6-mm tumors under ultrasound guidance and real-time monitoring. Two-stage millisecond-length ultrasound pulses were used to generate approximate cuboid ablation volumes (diagonal 5-6 mm) within each tumor, with a dose of 100 pulses/point. Immune effects were characterized by changes of pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and infiltration levels of immune cells. In all targeted treatment areas, bubble cloud activity was visualized by ultrasound monitoring. The novel protocol resulted in elliptical and controllable sized lesions, reducing the number of scanning points, and was generally well tolerated. After treatment, tumor growth experienced a seven-day stagnation period, the survival period of mice was prolonged, and the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and immune cell infiltration increased. This study demonstrates that DF-TS boiling histotripsy (BH) has a noninvasive, efficient, and precise ablation ability for TNBC and potentially enhances immune responses.
Collapse
|
7
|
Imran KM, Gannon J, Morrison HA, Tupik JD, Tintera B, Nagai-Singer MA, Ivester H, Madanick JM, Hendricks-Wenger A, Uh K, Luyimbazi DT, Edwards M, Coutermarsh-Ott S, Eden K, Byron C, Clark-Deener S, Lee K, Vlaisavljevich E, Allen IC. Successful In Situ Targeting of Pancreatic Tumors in a Novel Orthotopic Porcine Model Using Histotripsy. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2023; 49:2361-2370. [PMID: 37596154 PMCID: PMC10529075 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2023.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE New therapeutic strategies and paradigms are direly needed to treat pancreatic cancer. The absence of a suitable pre-clinical animal model of pancreatic cancer is a major limitation to biomedical device and therapeutic development. Traditionally, pigs have proven to be ideal models, especially in the context of designing human-sized instruments, perfecting surgical techniques and optimizing clinical procedures for use in humans. However, pig studies have typically focused on healthy tissue assessments and are limited to general safety evaluations because of the inability to effectively model human tumors. METHODS Here, we establish an orthotopic porcine model of human pancreatic cancer using RAG2/IL2RG double-knockout immunocompromised pigs and treat the tumors ex vivo and in vivo with histotripsy. RESULTS Using these animals, we describe the successful engraftment of Panc-1 human pancreatic cancer cell line tumors and characterize their development. To illustrate the utility of these animals for therapeutic development, we determine for the first time, the successful targeting of in situ pancreatic tumors using histotripsy. Treatment with histotripsy resulted in partial ablation in vivo and reduction in collagen content in both in vivo tumor in pig pancreas and ex vivo patient tumor. CONCLUSION This study presents a first step toward establishing histotripsy as a non-invasive treatment method for pancreatic cancer and exposes some of the challenges of ultrasound guidance for histotripsy ablation in the pancreas. Simultaneously, we introduce a highly robust model of pancreatic cancer in a large mammal model that could be used to evaluate a variety biomedical devices and therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Khan Mohammad Imran
- Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine and Health, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Roanoke, VA, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Jessica Gannon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Holly A Morrison
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Juselyn D Tupik
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Benjamin Tintera
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, USA
| | - Margaret A Nagai-Singer
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Hannah Ivester
- Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine and Health, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Roanoke, VA, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Justin Markov Madanick
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Alissa Hendricks-Wenger
- Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine and Health, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Roanoke, VA, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA; DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - Kyungjun Uh
- Division of Animal Science, College of Agriculture Food and Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - David T Luyimbazi
- Department of Surgery, Carilion Clinic and Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, USA
| | - Michael Edwards
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Sheryl Coutermarsh-Ott
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Kristin Eden
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Christopher Byron
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Sherrie Clark-Deener
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Kiho Lee
- Division of Animal Science, College of Agriculture Food and Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Eli Vlaisavljevich
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Irving C Allen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Hay AN, Imran KM, Hendricks-Wenger A, Gannon JM, Sereno J, Simon A, Lopez VA, Coutermarsh-Ott S, Vlaisavljevich E, Allen IC, Tuohy JL. Ablative and Immunostimulatory Effects of Histotripsy Ablation in a Murine Osteosarcoma Model. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2737. [PMID: 37893110 PMCID: PMC10604356 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11102737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most frequently occurring malignant bone tumor in humans, primarily affecting children and adolescents. Significant advancements in treatment options for OS have not occurred in the last several decades, and the prognosis remains grim with only a 70% rate of 5-year survival. The objective of this study was to investigate the focused ultrasound technique of histotripsy as a novel, noninvasive treatment option for OS. Methods: We utilized a heterotopic OS murine model to establish the feasibility of ablating OS tumors with histotripsy in a preclinical setting. We investigated the local immune response within the tumor microenvironment (TME) via immune cell phenotyping and gene expression analysis. Findings: We established the feasibility of ablating heterotopic OS tumors with ablation characterized microscopically by loss of cellular architecture in targeted regions of tumors. We observed greater populations of macrophages and dendritic cells within treated tumors and the upregulation of immune activating genes 72 h after histotripsy ablation. Interpretation: This study was the first to investigate histotripsy ablation for OS in a preclinical murine model, with results suggesting local immunomodulation within the TME. Our results support the continued investigation of histotripsy as a novel noninvasive treatment option for OS patients to improve clinical outcomes and patient prognosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alayna N. Hay
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Khan Mohammad Imran
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA (I.C.A.)
- Translational Biology, Medicine and Health Graduate Research Program, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA
| | - Alissa Hendricks-Wenger
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA (I.C.A.)
- Translational Biology, Medicine and Health Graduate Research Program, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA (E.V.)
| | - Jessica M. Gannon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA (E.V.)
| | - Jacqueline Sereno
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA (I.C.A.)
| | - Alex Simon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA (E.V.)
| | - Victor A. Lopez
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA (E.V.)
| | - Sheryl Coutermarsh-Ott
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA (I.C.A.)
- Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Wytheville, VA 24382, USA
| | - Eli Vlaisavljevich
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA (E.V.)
| | - Irving C. Allen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA (I.C.A.)
- Translational Biology, Medicine and Health Graduate Research Program, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA
| | - Joanne L. Tuohy
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Yeats E, Hall TL. Aberration correction in abdominal histotripsy. Int J Hyperthermia 2023; 40:2266594. [PMID: 37813397 PMCID: PMC10637766 DOI: 10.1080/02656736.2023.2266594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
In transabdominal histotripsy, ultrasound pulses are focused on the body to noninvasively destroy soft tissues via cavitation. However, the ability to focus is limited by phase aberration, or decorrelation of the ultrasound pulses due to spatial variation in the speed of sound throughout heterogeneous tissue. Phase aberration shifts, broadens, and weakens the focus, thereby reducing the safety and efficacy of histotripsy therapy. This paper reviews and discusses aberration effects in histotripsy and in related therapeutic ultrasound techniques (e.g., high intensity focused ultrasound), with an emphasis on aberration by soft tissues. Methods for aberration correction are reviewed and can be classified into two groups: model-based methods, which use segmented images of the tissue as input to an acoustic propagation model to predict and compensate phase differences, and signal-based methods, which use a receive-capable therapy array to detect phase differences by sensing acoustic signals backpropagating from the focus. The relative advantages and disadvantages of both groups of methods are discussed. Importantly, model-based methods can correct focal shift, while signal-based methods can restore substantial focal pressure, suggesting that both methods should be combined in a 2-step approach. Aberration correction will be critical to improving histotripsy treatments and expanding the histotripsy treatment envelope to enable non-invasive, non-thermal histotripsy therapy for more patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Yeats
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
| | - Timothy L. Hall
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ruger L, Yang E, Gannon J, Sheppard H, Coutermarsh-Ott S, Ziemlewicz TJ, Dervisis N, Allen IC, Daniel GB, Tuohy J, Vlaisavljevich E, Klahn S. Mechanical High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (Histotripsy) in Dogs With Spontaneously Occurring Soft Tissue Sarcomas. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2023; 70:768-779. [PMID: 36006886 PMCID: PMC9969335 DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2022.3201709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Histotripsy is a non-invasive focused ultrasound therapy that uses controlled acoustic cavitation to mechanically disintegrate tissue. To date, there are no reports investigating histotripsy for the treatment of soft tissue sarcoma (STS). OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the in vivo feasibility of ablating STS with histotripsy and to characterize the impact of partial histotripsy ablation on the acute immunologic response in canine patients with spontaneous STS. METHODS A custom 500 kHz histotripsy system was used to treat ten dogs with naturally occurring STS. Four to six days after histotripsy, tumors were surgically resected. Safety was determined by monitoring vital signs during treatment and post-treatment physical examinations, routine lab work, and owners' reports. Ablation was characterized using radiologic and histopathologic analyses. Systemic immunological impact was evaluated by measuring changes in cytokine concentrations, and tumor microenvironment changes were evaluated by characterizing changes in infiltration with tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) using multiplex immunohistochemistry and differential gene expression. RESULTS Results showed histotripsy ablation was achievable and well-tolerated in all ten dogs. Immunological results showed histotripsy induced pro-inflammatory changes in the tumor microenvironment. Conclusion & Significance: Overall, this study demonstrates histotripsy's potential as a precise, non-invasive treatment for STS.
Collapse
|
11
|
Ruger LN, Hay AN, Vickers ER, Coutermarsh-Ott SL, Gannon JM, Covell HS, Daniel GB, Laeseke PF, Ziemlewicz TJ, Kierski KR, Ciepluch BJ, Vlaisavljevich E, Tuohy JL. Characterizing the Ablative Effects of Histotripsy for Osteosarcoma: In Vivo Study in Dogs. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030741. [PMID: 36765700 PMCID: PMC9913343 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteosarcoma (OS) is a malignant bone tumor treated by limb amputation or limb salvage surgeries and chemotherapy. Histotripsy is a non-thermal, non-invasive focused ultrasound therapy using controlled acoustic cavitation to mechanically disintegrate tissue. Recent ex vivo and in vivo pilot studies have demonstrated the ability of histotripsy for ablating OS but were limited in scope. This study expands on these initial findings to more fully characterize the effects of histotripsy for bone tumors, particularly in tumors with different compositions. A prototype 500 kHz histotripsy system was used to treat ten dogs with suspected OS at an intermediate treatment dose of 1000 pulses per location. One day after histotripsy, treated tumors were resected via limb amputation, and radiologic and histopathologic analyses were conducted to determine the effects of histotripsy for each patient. The results of this study demonstrated that histotripsy ablation is safe and feasible in canine patients with spontaneous OS, while offering new insights into the characteristics of the achieved ablation zone. More extensive tissue destruction was observed after histotripsy compared to that in previous reports, and radiographic changes in tumor size and contrast uptake following histotripsy were reported for the first time. Overall, this study significantly expands our understanding of histotripsy bone tumor ablation and informs future studies for this application.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren N. Ruger
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24016, USA
| | - Alayna N. Hay
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24016, USA
- Virginia Tech Animal Cancer Care and Research Center, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA
| | - Elliana R. Vickers
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24016, USA
- Virginia Tech Animal Cancer Care and Research Center, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA
- Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA
| | - Sheryl L. Coutermarsh-Ott
- Department of Biological Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24016, USA
| | - Jessica M. Gannon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24016, USA
| | - Hannah S. Covell
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24016, USA
| | - Gregory B. Daniel
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24016, USA
- Virginia Tech Animal Cancer Care and Research Center, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA
| | - Paul F. Laeseke
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | | | - Katharine R. Kierski
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24016, USA
- Virginia Tech Animal Cancer Care and Research Center, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA
| | - Brittany J. Ciepluch
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24016, USA
- Virginia Tech Animal Cancer Care and Research Center, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA
| | - Eli Vlaisavljevich
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24016, USA
- Correspondence: (E.V.); (J.L.T.)
| | - Joanne L. Tuohy
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24016, USA
- Virginia Tech Animal Cancer Care and Research Center, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA
- Correspondence: (E.V.); (J.L.T.)
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Gannon J, Imran KM, Hendricks-Wenger A, Edwards M, Covell H, Ruger L, Singh N, Nagai-Singer M, Tintera B, Eden K, Mendiratta-Lala M, Vidal-Jove J, Luyimbazi D, Larson M, Clark-Deener S, Coutermarsh-Ott S, Allen IC, Vlaisavljevich E. Ultrasound-guided noninvasive pancreas ablation using histotripsy: feasibility study in an in vivo porcine model. Int J Hyperthermia 2023; 40:2247187. [PMID: 37643768 PMCID: PMC10839746 DOI: 10.1080/02656736.2023.2247187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a malignant disease associated with poor survival and nearly 80% present with unresectable tumors. Treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy have shown overall improved survival benefits, albeit limited. Histotripsy is a noninvasive, non-ionizing, and non-thermal focused ultrasound ablation modality that has shown efficacy in treating hepatic tumors and other malignancies. In this novel study, we investigate histotripsy for noninvasive pancreas ablation in a pig model. In two studies, histotripsy was applied to the healthy pancreas in 11 pigs using a custom 32-element, 500 kHz histotripsy transducer attached to a clinical histotripsy system, with treatments guided by real-time ultrasound imaging. A pilot study was conducted in 3 fasted pigs with histotripsy applied at a pulse repetition frequency (PRF) of 500 Hz. Results showed no pancreas visualization on coaxial ultrasound imaging due to overlying intestinal gas, resulting in off-target injury and no pancreas damage. To minimize gas, a second group of pigs (n = 8) were fed a custard diet containing simethicone and bisacodyl. Pigs were euthanized immediately (n = 4) or survived for 1 week (n = 4) post-treatment. Damage to the pancreas and surrounding tissue was characterized using gross morphology, histological analysis, and CT imaging. Results showed histotripsy bubble clouds were generated inside pancreases that were visually maintained on coaxial ultrasound (n = 4), with 2 pigs exhibiting off-target damage. For chronic animals, results showed the treatments were well-tolerated with no complication signs or changes in blood markers. This study provides initial evidence suggesting histotripsy's potential for noninvasive pancreas ablation and warrants further evaluation in more comprehensive studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Gannon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, VA Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Khan Mohammad Imran
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-MD College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA
- Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine and Health, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA, USA
| | - Alissa Hendricks-Wenger
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, VA Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-MD College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA
- Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine and Health, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA, USA
- DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - Michael Edwards
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, US
| | - Hannah Covell
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, VA Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Lauren Ruger
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, VA Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Neha Singh
- Department of Basic Science Education, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, USA
| | - Margaret Nagai-Singer
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-MD College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Benjamin Tintera
- Department of Basic Science Education, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, USA
| | - Kristin Eden
- Department of Basic Science Education, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, USA
| | | | - Joan Vidal-Jove
- Interventional Oncology Institute Khuab, Comprehensive Tumor Center, Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Luyimbazi
- Department of Basic Science Education, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, USA
- Department of Surgery, Carilion Clinic, Roanoke, VA, USA
| | - Martha Larson
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Sherrie Clark-Deener
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Sheryl Coutermarsh-Ott
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-MD College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Irving C. Allen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-MD College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA
- Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine and Health, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA, USA
- Department of Basic Science Education, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, USA
- ICTAS Center for Engineering Health, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
| | - Eli Vlaisavljevich
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, VA Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
- Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine and Health, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA, USA
- ICTAS Center for Engineering Health, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Locoregional Approaches in Cholangiocarcinoma Treatment. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14235853. [PMID: 36497334 PMCID: PMC9740081 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14235853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a rare hepatic malignant tumor with poor prognosis due to late detection and anatomic factors limiting the applicability of surgical resection. Without surgical resection, palliation is the most common approach. In non-surgical cases contained within the liver, locoregional therapies provide the best chance for increased survival and disease control. The most common methods, transarterial chemoembolization and transarterial radioembolization, target tumors by embolizing their blood supply and limiting the tumor's ability to metabolize. Other treatments induce direct damage via thermal ablation to tumor tissue to mediate their anti-tumor efficacy. Recent studies have begun to explore roles for these therapies outside their previous role of palliation. This review will outline the mechanisms of each of these treatments, along with their effects on overall survival, while comparing these to non-locoregional therapies.
Collapse
|
14
|
Nanda Kumar Y, Singh Z, Wang YN, Schade GR, Kreider W, Bruce M, Vlaisavljevich E, Khokhlova TD, Maxwell AD. Development of Tough Hydrogel Phantoms to Mimic Fibrous Tissue for Focused Ultrasound Therapies. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2022; 48:1762-1777. [PMID: 35697582 PMCID: PMC9357045 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2022.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Tissue-mimicking gels provide a cost-effective medium to optimize histotripsy treatment parameters with immediate feedback. Agarose and polyacrylamide gels are often used to evaluate treatment outcomes as they mimic the acoustic properties and stiffness of a variety of soft tissues, but they do not exhibit high toughness, a characteristic of fibrous connective tissue. To mimic pathologic fibrous tissue found in benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and other diseases that are potentially treatable with histotripsy, an optically transparent hydrogel with high toughness was developed that is a hybrid of polyacrylamide and alginate. The stiffness was established using shear wave elastography (SWE) and indentometry techniques and was found to be representative of human BPH ex vivo prostate tissue. Different phantom compositions and excised ex vivo BPH tissue samples were treated with a 700-kHz histotripsy transducer at different pulse repetition frequencies. Post-treatment, the hybrid gels and the tissue samples exhibited differential reduction in stiffness as measured by SWE. On B-mode ultrasound, partially treated areas were present as hyperechoic zones and fully liquified areas as hypoechoic zones. Phase contrast microscopy of the gel samples revealed liquefaction in regions consistent with the target lesion dimensions and correlated to findings identified in tissue samples via histology. The dose required to achieve liquefaction in the hybrid gel was similar to what has been observed in ex vivo tissue and greater than that of agarose of comparable or higher Young's modulus by a factor >10. These results indicate that the developed hydrogels closely mimic elasticities found in BPH prostate ex vivo tissue and have a similar response to histotripsy treatment, thus making them a useful cost-effective alternative for developing and evaluating different treatment protocols.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yashwanth Nanda Kumar
- Center for Industrial and Medical Ultrasound, Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.
| | - Zorawar Singh
- Department of Urology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Yak-Nam Wang
- Center for Industrial and Medical Ultrasound, Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - George R Schade
- Department of Urology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Wayne Kreider
- Center for Industrial and Medical Ultrasound, Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Matthew Bruce
- Center for Industrial and Medical Ultrasound, Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Eli Vlaisavljevich
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Tatiana D Khokhlova
- Center for Industrial and Medical Ultrasound, Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA; Department of Gastroenterology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Adam D Maxwell
- Center for Industrial and Medical Ultrasound, Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA; Department of Urology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Simon A, Robinson F, Anzivino A, Boyer M, Hendricks-Wenger A, Guilliams D, Casey J, Grider D, Valea F, Vlaisavljevich E. Histotripsy for the Treatment of Uterine Leiomyomas: A Feasibility Study in Ex Vivo Uterine Fibroids. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2022; 48:1652-1662. [PMID: 35641394 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2022.04.214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Uterine fibroids (leiomyomas), the most common benign tumors in women of reproductive age, are a frequent cause of abnormal vaginal bleeding and other reproductive complaints among women. This study investigates the feasibility of using histotripsy, a non-invasive, non-thermal focused ultrasound ablation method, to ablate uterine fibroids. Human fibroid samples (n = 16) were harvested after hysterectomy or myomectomy procedures at Carilion Memorial Hospital. Histotripsy was applied to ex vivo fibroids in two sets of experiments using a 700-kHz clinical transducer to apply multicycle histotripsy pulses and a prototype 500-kHz transducer to apply single-cycle histotripsy pulses. Ultrasound imaging was used for real-time treatment monitoring, and post-treatment ablation was quantified histologically using hematoxylin and eosin and Masson trichrome stains. Results revealed that multicycle histotripsy generated diffuse cavitation in targeted fibroids, with minimal cellular ablative changes after treatment with 2000 pulses/point. Single-cycle pulsing generated well-confined bubble clouds with evidence of early coagulative necrosis on histological assessment in samples treated with 2000 pulses/point, near-complete ablation in samples treated with 4000 pulses/point and complete tissue destruction in samples treated with 10,000 pulses/point. This study illustrates that histotripsy is capable of fibroid ablation under certain pulsing parameters and warrants further investigation as an improved non-invasive ablation method for the treatment of leiomyomas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alex Simon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Faith Robinson
- Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia, USA
| | - Anthony Anzivino
- Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia, USA
| | - Maggie Boyer
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Alissa Hendricks-Wenger
- Department of Translational Biology, Medicine and Health, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Danielle Guilliams
- Department of Research and Development, Carilion Clinic, Roanoke, Virginia, USA
| | - James Casey
- Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Carilion Clinic Gynecological Oncology, Roanoke, Virginia, USA
| | - Douglas Grider
- Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia, USA; Dominion Pathology Associates, Roanoke, Virginia, USA
| | - Fidel Valea
- Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Carilion Clinic Gynecological Oncology, Roanoke, Virginia, USA
| | - Eli Vlaisavljevich
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Hendricks-Wenger A, Saunier S, Simon A, Grider D, Luyimbazi D, Allen IC, Vlaisavljevich E. Histotripsy for the Treatment of Cholangiocarcinoma in a Patient-Derived Xenograft Mouse Model. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2022; 48:293-303. [PMID: 34750030 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2021.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Histotripsy is a focused ultrasound ablation therapy being developed for the treatment of liver tumors. A recent study investigating the feasibility of using histotripsy for the ablation of cholangiocarcinoma (CC), bile duct cancer that is difficult to treat with current therapies because of its location near critical structures and fibrous tissue, reported the feasibility of treating CC in an acute mouse model. Here, we investigate histotripsy for the in vivo ablation of CC in a chronic study using a 1-MHz transducer at an applied dose of 500 pulses/point. A pilot study determined that treating the CC tumors plus a 1- to 2-mm margin induced significant injuries to intestinal tissues, thus precluding the use of this strategy. Next, histotripsy was applied to CCs (n = 6) with the treatment contained to the tumor. Post-treatment, the ablation was visualized using ultrasound, and subjects were monitored over time. Histotripsy achieved an average of 73% reduction of tumor diameter 26 d after treatment, with no significant adverse events. Notably, three of six treated tumors were undetectable after 2.5 wk. The treated animals were found to have significantly increased tumor progression-free and overall survival. Overall, results indicate that histotripsy can be used as a safe and effective method for treating CC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alissa Hendricks-Wenger
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine and Health, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, Virginia, USA
| | - Sofie Saunier
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Alexander Simon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Douglas Grider
- Department of Basic Science Education, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia, USA; Dominion Pathology Associates, Roanoke, Virginia, USA
| | - David Luyimbazi
- Department of Surgery, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia, USA; Department of Surgery, Carilion Clinic, Roanoke, Virginia, USA
| | - Irving C Allen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine and Health, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, Virginia, USA; Department of Basic Science Education, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia, USA; Dominion Pathology Associates, Roanoke, Virginia, USA
| | - Eli Vlaisavljevich
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine and Health, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, Virginia, USA; Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Sciences Center for Engineered Health, Virginia Tech, Kelly Hall, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Hendricks-Wenger A, Arnold L, Gannon J, Simon A, Singh N, Sheppard H, Nagai-Singer MA, Imran KM, Lee K, Clark-Deener S, Byron C, Edwards MR, Larson MM, Rossmeisl JH, Coutermarsh-Ott SL, Eden K, Dervisis N, Klahn S, Tuohy J, Allen IC, Vlaisavljevich E. Histotripsy Ablation in Preclinical Animal Models of Cancer and Spontaneous Tumors in Veterinary Patients: A Review. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ULTRASONICS, FERROELECTRICS, AND FREQUENCY CONTROL 2022; 69:5-26. [PMID: 34478363 PMCID: PMC9284566 DOI: 10.1109/tuffc.2021.3110083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
New therapeutic strategies are direly needed in the fight against cancer. Over the last decade, several tumor ablation strategies have emerged as stand-alone or combination therapies. Histotripsy is the first completely noninvasive, nonthermal, and nonionizing tumor ablation method. Histotripsy can produce consistent and rapid ablations, even near critical structures. Additional benefits include real-time image guidance, high precision, and the ability to treat tumors of any predetermined size and shape. Unfortunately, the lack of clinically and physiologically relevant preclinical cancer models is often a significant limitation with all focal tumor ablation strategies. The majority of studies testing histotripsy for cancer treatment have focused on small animal models, which have been critical in moving this field forward and will continue to be essential for providing mechanistic insight. While these small animal models have notable translational value, there are significant limitations in terms of scale and anatomical relevance. To address these limitations, a diverse range of large animal models and spontaneous tumor studies in veterinary patients have emerged to complement existing rodent models. These models and veterinary patients are excellent at providing realistic avenues for developing and testing histotripsy devices and techniques designed for future use in human patients. Here, we provide a review of animal models used in preclinical histotripsy studies and compare histotripsy ablation in these models using a series of original case reports across a broad spectrum of preclinical animal models and spontaneous tumors in veterinary patients.
Collapse
|
18
|
Hendricks-Wenger A, Hutchison R, Vlaisavljevich E, Allen IC. Immunological Effects of Histotripsy for Cancer Therapy. Front Oncol 2021; 11:681629. [PMID: 34136405 PMCID: PMC8200675 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.681629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide despite major advancements in diagnosis and therapy over the past century. One of the most debilitating aspects of cancer is the burden brought on by metastatic disease. Therefore, an ideal treatment protocol would address not only debulking larger primary tumors but also circulating tumor cells and distant metastases. To address this need, the use of immune modulating therapies has become a pillar in the oncology armamentarium. A therapeutic option that has recently emerged is the use of focal ablation therapies that can destroy a tumor through various physical or mechanical mechanisms and release a cellular lysate with the potential to stimulate an immune response. Histotripsy is a non-invasive, non-ionizing, non-thermal, ultrasound guided ablation technology that has shown promise over the past decade as a debulking therapy. As histotripsy therapies have developed, the full picture of the accompanying immune response has revealed a wide range of immunogenic mechanisms that include DAMP and anti-tumor mediator release, changes in local cellular immune populations, development of a systemic immune response, and therapeutic synergism with the inclusion of checkpoint inhibitor therapies. These studies also suggest that there is an immune effect from histotripsy therapies across multiple murine tumor types that may be reproducible. Overall, the effects of histotripsy on tumors show a positive effect on immunomodulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alissa Hendricks-Wenger
- Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine and Health, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA, United States
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Ruby Hutchison
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Eli Vlaisavljevich
- Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine and Health, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
- Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Sciences Center for Engineered Health, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Irving Coy Allen
- Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine and Health, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA, United States
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, United States
- Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Sciences Center for Engineered Health, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
- Department of Basic Science Education, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, United States
| |
Collapse
|