Histotripsy Destroys Liver Tumors From outside the Body with Sound Waves
Histotripsy is a new form of sound wave radiation used for killing tumors from outside the body. The Histotripsy procedure is now FDA-approved for tumors in the liver and is covered by Medicare and some insurance companies. An estimated fifteen percent (15%) of ALK Positive NSCLC patients acquire liver tumors during the course of their disease. Developed at University of Michigan and commercialized by HistoSonics corporation as the Edison System, Histotripsy is a novel form of focused ultrasound that uses high amplitude, very short pulses to create a “bubble cloud” that mechanically liquefies targeted tumors, leaving healthy tissue intact. The ultrasound waves form microbubbles within the tumor, and the forces created as those bubbles expand and collapse cause the mass to break apart, killing tumor cells and leaving the debris to be cleaned up by the immune system. This unique cell death pathway releases previously cloaked tumor antigens, drawing the attention of the body’s immune system, and potentially generating an immune response at other cancer sites within the body (abscopal effect; still being studied). HistoSonics’ platform provides physicians the ability to monitor the destruction of tissue under precise and continuous real-time visualization and control, unlike any modality that exists today.
Histotripsy is a new kind of local consolidative therapy (LCT) that may be safer and more effective than targeted radiation or ablation for some indications. It is being studied for applications in lung cancer, prostate cancer, and cardiovascular disease, among others. Thoracic application is limited in lung cancer as the ultrasound waves do not propagate well through air. There is documented evidence of abscopal effect in mice, and in some patients, but current trials have focused on safety and efficacy. Specific studies designed to investigate the abscopal effect induced by histotripsy are needed, including potential combination therapies with immunomodulatory agents to enhance systemic anti-tumor responses.
HistoSonics recently raised $102M in a private offering, and the University of Michigan retains a financial interest in the company. The Edison System is available at a range of medical institutions, and histosonics treatments can be obtained at these locations: https://histosonics.com/find-edison-provider/
The HistoSonics VP of Research and Development Josh Stopek, has offered to speak with potential patients interested in learning more about the treatment. joshua.stopek@histosonics.com
Author’s note: My wife has very recently engaged Interventional Radiologist Dr. Kevin Burns of Mission Viejo Hospital for outpatient histotripsy services on her liver tumors at Oroville Hospital in Northern California. Dr. Burns treated five tumors in the left lobe of her liver, and she will go back for a second treatment in 2-3 months. Ellen was quite tired for a couple of days afterwards, and in some predicted discomfort, which is fading. Dr. Burns is highly recommended, and apparently people fly in from all over the world for his services. https://www.providence.org/doctors/interventional-radiology/ca/mission-viejo/kevin-burns-1174880389
Results of the HOPE4LIVER clinical trial for histotripsy can be found here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240903641498/en/HistoSonics%C2%AE-Publishes-Results-of-its-Pivotal-HOPE4LIVER-Trials
The ongoing liver BOOMBOX Master Study: Real-world Evaluation of the HistoSonics Edison System for Treatment of Liver Tumors Across Multidisciplinary Users: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06486454?intr=histotripsy%20liver&rank=3#participation-criteria
Other ongoing histotripsy trials for kidney and pancreatic tumors: https://histosonics.com/resources/evidence/
Research paper: Histotripsy: the first noninvasive, non-ionizing, non-thermal ablation technique based on ultrsound: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9404673/
Author: Jeffrey M. Sturm B.S., M.A., M.B.A., Medical Committee
ALK Positive, Inc.