Summary
This journal article explores the potential of inducing sonoporation, a technique that enhances drug delivery through ultrasound, in a clinical setting to improve the quality of life and extend the survival of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
The study involved treating patients with a customized configuration of a commercial clinical ultrasound scanner following standard chemotherapy with gemcitabine. SonoVue® ultrasound contrast agent was used to induce sonoporation.
The results showed that patients treated with this approach could undergo an increased number of treatment cycles, averaging 16 cycles compared to an average of 9 cycles in a historical control group of 80 patients. In two out of five patients, the tumor diameter was temporarily reduced to 80% and permanently to 70% of its original size. The other patients showed reduced tumor growth.
The study concludes that it is possible to combine ultrasound, microbubbles, and chemotherapy in a clinical setting using commercially available clinical ultrasound scanners. This approach has the potential to increase the number of treatment cycles and improve the quality of life for patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma when compared to chemotherapy alone.
