The effect of high intensity focused ultrasound treatment on metastases in a murine melanoma model
This study aims to assess the risk of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) therapy on the incidence of metastases and to investigate the association of metastasis incidence with HIFU-elicited anti-tumor immunity using a melanoma model. Tumor-bearing legs were amputated immediately after or 2 days following HIFU treatment to influence the elicited antitumor immunity. Metastasis rates for groups undergoing amputation immediately after receiving mechanical or thermal HIFU and no treatment were comparable. However, with a 2-day delay in amputation, the corresponding metastasis rates were found to be 6.7% (1/15), 11.8% (2/17) and 40% (8/20), respectively. Animal survival rate was higher and CTL activity was enhanced in the HIFU treatment groups. Thus, HIFU treatment may elicit an anti-tumor immune response that has the potential to be harnessed to improve the overall effectiveness of cancer therapy. © 2009 American Institute of Physics.
