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Focused ultrasound as a treatment modality for gliomas.

Authors: Nwafor DC, Obiri-Yeboah D, Fazad F, Blanks W, Mut M

Ultrasound waves were initially used as a diagnostic tool that provided critical insights into several pathological conditions (e.g., gallstones, ascites, pneumothorax, etc.) at the bedside. Over the past decade, advancements in technology have led to the use of ultrasound waves in treating many neurological conditions, such as essential tremor and Parkinson's disease, with high specificity. The convergence of ultrasound waves at a specific region of interest/target while avoiding surrounding tissue has led to the coined term "focused ultrasound (FUS)." In tumor research, ultrasound technology was initially used as an intraoperative guidance tool for tumor resection. However, in recent years, there has been growing interest in utilizing FUS as a therapeutic tool in the management of brain tumors such as gliomas. This mini-review highlights the current knowledge surrounding using FUS as a treatment modality for gliomas. Furthermore, we discuss the utility of FUS in enhanced drug delivery to the central nervous system (CNS) and highlight promising clinical trials that utilize FUS as a treatment modality for gliomas.

Introduction

Purpose Drug delivery with BBB opening
Study Objective To review current knowledge and clinical applications of focused ultrasound for treating gliomas, including blood–brain barrier opening to enhance drug delivery.
Disease model glioma

Outcomes and Safety

Summary of Outcomes Focused ultrasound (FUS) can transiently open the blood–brain/blood–tumor barrier to enhance drug delivery and can be applied for tumor ablation or as an adjunct to radiosurgery/surgical resection in glioma/glioblastoma, with promising early clinical trials; data are limited for spinal cord tumors. The review notes that optimal FUS parameters (microbubble type and administration route) and the short- and long-term effects on host immune responses remain to be determined.
Safety-related matter The paper does not report specific adverse effects; however, it notes that further investigation is required into microbubble type/administration and the short- and long-term impact of focused ultrasound on the host immune response, indicating unresolved safety considerations.

Brain Region

Visualization unavailable

Ultrasound Parameters

Focal Characteristics Focal depth: None; Focal length: None; Aperture size: None

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