HistoSonics, a startup backed by Thiel Bio and Bezos Expeditions, has developed a sound wave-based tumor treatment technology, currently used for liver tumors and expanding to other areas like breast, prostate, and brain cancer, with a $250 million investment to accelerate growth and international expansion.
A Caltech-led team has developed bioresorbable acoustic microrobots (BAM) capable of targeted drug delivery within the body. These microrobots, made from a hydrogel, can navigate complex biofluids and release drugs precisely at tumor sites, as demonstrated in mice with bladder tumors. The microrobots incorporate magnetic nanoparticles for navigation and ultrasound imaging for real-time tracking. This innovation could revolutionize precision medicine by delivering therapeutic agents directly to specific sites, minimizing side effects and improving treatment efficacy.
A new device at Providence Mission Hospital in Orange County, called the HistoSonics Edison system, uses pulsed sound energy to target cancerous tumors, offering hope for patients like Michael Farris, who was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. The technology aims to blast tumor cells, potentially causing regression or shrinking of tumors, and is considered a groundbreaking advancement in cancer therapy. Farris, one of the first patients to receive this treatment, emphasizes the importance of early cancer screening and hopes to live as long as possible to enjoy time with his sons.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have successfully induced cancer cell suicide in animals with melanoma by delivering mRNA molecules encoding a bacterial toxin directly to the tumor bed. The nanoparticles carrying the mRNA were injected into the tumors, causing the cancer cells to produce the toxic protein that eventually killed them. This groundbreaking study achieved a success rate of 44% to 60% in eliminating cancer cells without harming healthy cells. The researchers believe this method could be applied to various types of cancer using different natural toxins, offering a promising alternative to chemotherapy.