New Research Reveals Promising Cancer Therapy Approach Using High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound

Strategic Insights -

Scientists at Fudan University in Shanghai, China, have made a groundbreaking discovery in cancer therapy, finding that high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) can convert "cold" tumors into "hot" ones, making them more responsive to immunotherapy. The study, published in Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B, investigated the role of HIFU in triggering tumor ferroptosis, a process in which cancer cells die due to oxidative stress. The researchers found that HIFU, combined with a nano-enhancer loaded with perfluorobutyl bromide (PFOB), could enhance ferroptosis in triple-negative breast cancer at a specific stage of tumor growth, ultimately leading to improved immune responses.

Key Takeaways:

  • Researchers at Fudan University discovered that high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) can convert "cold" tumors into "hot" ones, making them more responsive to immunotherapy.
  • The study found that HIFU, combined with a nano-enhancer loaded with PFOB, could enhance ferroptosis in triple-negative breast cancer at a specific stage of tumor growth.
  • The research concluded that this finding provides valuable guidance for the clinical application of HIFU in tumor immunotherapy.
  • The study investigated the role of HIFU in triggering tumor ferroptosis, a process in which cancer cells die due to oxidative stress.
  • The researchers obtained funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Program of Shanghai Academic Research Leader.
  • Fudan University's Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery was involved in the research, with Xuejing Li as the lead author and contact.

Statistics:

  • The study was published in Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B, a peer-reviewed journal published by Elsevier.
  • The research has been crawled by NewsRx editors from Shanghai, People's Republic of China, resulting in a news report on Immunotherapy Weekly.
  • The study investigated triple-negative breast cancer, a subtype of breast cancer known for its aggressive growth and poor prognosis.
  • The researchers used high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) in combination with a nano-enhancer loaded with PFOB to enhance ferroptosis in cancer cells.
  • The study found that this approach could improve immune responses against cancer cells.

Sources:

  • National Natural Science Foundation of China
  • Program of Shanghai Academic Research Leader
  • Fudan University
  • Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University
  • Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B (Elsevier) - http://www.journals.elsevier.com/acta-pharmaceutica-sinica-b
  • Immunotherapy Weekly - July 23, 2025; p 3372