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Journal of Translational Medicine
Published in: Journal of Translational Medicine 1/2012

Open Access 01-12-2012 | Research

Low-pressure pulsed focused ultrasound with microbubbles promotes an anticancer immunological response

Authors: Hao-Li Liu, Han-Yi Hsieh, Li-An Lu, Chiao-Wen Kang, Ming-Fang Wu, Chun-Yen Lin

Published in: Journal of Translational Medicine | Issue 1/2012

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Abstract

Background

High-intensity focused-ultrasound (HIFU) has been successfully employed for thermal ablation of tumors in clinical settings. Continuous- or pulsed-mode HIFU may also induce a host antitumor immune response, mainly through expansion of antigen-presenting cells in response to increased cellular debris and through increased macrophage activation/infiltration. Here we demonstrated that another form of focused ultrasound delivery, using low-pressure, pulsed-mode exposure in the presence of microbubbles (MBs), may also trigger an antitumor immunological response and inhibit tumor growth.

Methods

A total of 280 tumor-bearing animals were subjected to sonographically-guided FUS. Implanted tumors were exposed to low-pressure FUS (0.6 to 1.4 MPa) with MBs to increase the permeability of tumor microvasculature.

Results

Tumor progression was suppressed by both 0.6 and 1.4-MPa MB-enhanced FUS exposures. We observed a transient increase in infiltration of non-T regulatory (non-Treg) tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and continual infiltration of CD8+ cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL). The ratio of CD8+/Treg increased significantly and tumor growth was inhibited.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that low-pressure FUS exposure with MBs may constitute a useful tool for triggering an anticancer immune response, for potential cancer immunotherapy.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Low-pressure pulsed focused ultrasound with microbubbles promotes an anticancer immunological response
Authors
Hao-Li Liu
Han-Yi Hsieh
Li-An Lu
Chiao-Wen Kang
Ming-Fang Wu
Chun-Yen Lin
Publication date
01-12-2012
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Journal of Translational Medicine / Issue 1/2012
Electronic ISSN: 1479-5876
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1479-5876-10-221

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WHO estimates that half of all patients worldwide are non-adherent to their prescribed medication. The consequences of poor adherence can be catastrophic, on both the individual and population level.

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