By: Jillian Lach
Can ultrasound treatments really destroy cancer cells?
There is no cure for cancer, meaning that about 600,000 people will die from cancer this year. In the past, doctors have used high-intensity ultrasound techniques to help treat cancer. These methods send lots of energy to one focused area of the body to kill the tumor cells, but they are also killing the healthy cells that are needed in the body. Recent research studies show that ultrasound treatments can potentially destroy breast cancer cells, killing off approximately 80% of tumor cells by using a low frequency ultrasound. While the ultrasound treatment destroys 80% of cancer cells, the other 20% can be destroyed by using an immunotherapy gene. Researchers also use a non invasive, low frequency ultrasound that focuses on killing cancer cells. This is important because most high intensity treatments kill healthy cells alongside the cancer cells; however, using a low frequency ultrasound can significantly decrease that risk. They also are known to be non toxic and healthier than other forms of treatment, ensuring safety and good health.
How does it work?
How does this ultrasound treatment actually work to kill cancer cells? First, frequencies are tested to conclude which frequencies kill the cancer cells successfully without harming healthy cells. An ultrasound is used and the treatment itself produces microbubbles, gas filled bubbles that help destroy the tumor cells. Essentially, the sound waves from the ultrasound can cause microbubbles to act similar to balloons by expanding and contracting. The microbubbles grow bigger before violently exploding, creating holes in the membrane of the cancer cells which enables gene delivery. The microbubbles also kill most of the tumor cells. An immunotherapy gene is also being researched to help the immune system attack and destroy the other tumor cells present. Therefore, microbubbles can be injected into tumors to kill tumor cells, allowing a more safe and successful cancer treatment to be completed.
What does this mean for the future?
Furthermore, researchers hope to use this research to develop more non invasive treatments for people with brain diseases and other neurological related diseases without having to perform surgery. In the future, researchers hope to continue to perfect this treatment in living tumors and animals before moving forward with clinical trials so that it can be available to all patients suffering from different types of tumors. If this treatment works, it could essentially introduce a new and safer treatment for those suffering from cancer as well as help doctors single out and destroy the cancer cells. Although it has been minimally introduced and only researched in animals, scientists and researchers believe this is the first step to developing a treatment that could potentially be life changing to one’s health and lifestyle.
Summary
Concluding, approximately 1.8 million people are diagnosed with cancer in the United States each year. That means that about 1.8 million people are suffering from this invasive disease, causing them to change their entire lifestyle. It is important to spread awareness on current research that could potentially help save millions of lives each year. By donating money and supporting causes that help support ongoing research to find a successful and safe treatment, you could essentially be impacting your community in a positive way. With the necessary tools and support, researchers can continue to try and develop a successful treatment for cancer.
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