Researchers developing new cancer treatments with high-intensity focused ultrasound

Date:
August 24, 2021
Source:
University of Waterloo
Summary:
While doctors have used low-intensity ultrasound as a medical
imaging tool since the 1950s, experts are now using and extending
models that help capture how high-intensity focused ultrasound
(HIFU) can work on a cellular level.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Researchers are bringing the use of acoustic waves to target and destroy cancerous tumours closer to reality.


========================================================================== While doctors have used low-intensity ultrasound as a medical imaging
tool since the 1950s, experts at the University of Waterloo are using and extending models that helpcapture how high-intensity focused ultrasound
(HIFU) can work on a cellular level.

Led by Siv Sivaloganathan, an applied mathematician and researcher with
the Centre for Math Medicine at the Fields Institute, the study found
by running mathematical models in computer simulations that fundamental problems in the technology can be solved without any risk to actual
patients.

Sivaloganathan, together with his graduate students June Murley, Kevin
Jiang and postdoctoral fellow Maryam Ghasemi, creates the mathematical
models used by engineers and doctors to put HIFU into practice. He said
his colleagues in other fields are interested in the same problems,
"but we're coming at this from different directions." "My side of it
is to use mathematics and computer simulations to develop a solid model
that others can take and use in labs or clinical settings. And although
the models are not nearly as complex as human organs and tissue, the simulations give a huge head start for clinical trials." One of the
obstacles that Sivaloganathan is currently working to overcome is that
in targeting cancers, HIFU also poses risks to healthy tissue. When
HIFU is being used to destroy tumours or cancerous lesions, the hope is
that good tissue won't be destroyed. The same applies when focusing the
intense acoustic waves on a tumour on the bone where lots of heat energy
gets released.

Sivaloganathan and his colleagues are working to understand how the heat dissipates and if it damages the bone marrow.

Other researchers working with Sivaloganathan include engineers, who are building the physical technology, and medical doctors, in particular,
James Drake, chief surgeon at Hospital for Sick Children, looking at
the practical application of HIFU in clinical settings.

Sivaloganathan believes HIFU will make significant changes in cancer
treatments and other medical procedures and treatments. HIFU is already
finding practical application in the treatment of some prostate cancers.

"It's an area that I think is going to take center stage in
clinical medicine," he said. "It doesn't have the negative
side effects of radiation therapy or chemotherapy. There
are no side effects other than the effect of heat, which
we are working on right now. It also has applications as a
new way to break up blood clots and even to administer drugs." ========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Waterloo. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. M. A. Efendiev, J. Murley, S. Sivaloganathan. Dimension Estimate of
Uniform Attractor for a Model of High Intensity Focussed Ultrasound-
Induced Thermotherapy. Bulletin of Mathematical Biology, 2021; 83
(9) DOI: 10.1007/s11538-021-00928-x ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/08/210824083437.htm

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