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Advances in Focused Ultrasound for the Treatment of Brain Tumors.

Authors: Rao R, Patel A, Hanchate K, Robinson E, Edwards A, Shah S, Higgins D, Haworth KJ, Lucke-Wold B, Pomeranz Krummel D, Sengupta S

Employing the full arsenal of therapeutics to treat brain tumors is limited by the relative impermeability of the blood-brain and blood-tumor barriers. In physiologic states, the blood-brain barrier serves a protective role by passively and actively excluding neurotoxic compounds; however, this functionality limits the penetrance of therapeutics into the tumor microenvironment. Focused ultrasound technology provides a method for overcoming the blood-brain and blood-tumor barriers through ultrasound frequency to transiently permeabilize or disrupt these barriers. Concomitant delivery of therapeutics has allowed for previously impermeable agents to reach the tumor microenvironment. This review details the advances in focused ultrasound in both preclinical models and clinical studies, with a focus on its safety profile. We then turn towards future directions in focused ultrasound-mediated therapies for brain tumors.

Introduction

Purpose Drug delivery with BBB opening
Study Objective To review advances in focused ultrasound-mediated strategies for transiently permeabilizing the blood–brain and blood–tumor barriers to enhance therapeutic delivery to brain tumors, emphasizing safety and future directions.
Animal model / Human subject not provided
Disease model brain tumors
MRI or image guidance method MRI
Targeted brain region(s) Not Provided
Target coordinates not provided
Cargo name and characteristics Temozolomide 
Route of administration not provided

Outcomes and Safety

Summary of Outcomes Focused ultrasound transiently permeabilized or disrupted the blood–brain and blood–tumor barriers to enable delivery of therapeutics in preclinical and clinical studies, and the review does not report specific ultrasound parameter sets tested.
Duration of biological effect not provided
Safety-related matter The review states it focuses on the safety profile of focused ultrasound for transiently permeabilizing the blood–brain and blood–tumor barriers. The provided excerpt does not report any specific adverse effects or safety outcomes.

Brain Region

Ultrasound Parameters

Ultrasound instrument not provided
FUS Frequency not provided
FUS Intensity not provided
FUS Pressure not provided
FUS Mode not provided
Pulse duration not provided
Duration of a single FUS session not provided
Focal Characteristics not provided
Treatment frequency not provided

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