Article
Oncology
Ying Meng, Christopher B. Pople, Suganth Suppiah, Maheleth Llinas, Yuexi Huang, Arjun Sahgal, James Perry, Julia Keith, Benjamin Davidson, Clement Hamani, Yutaka Amemiya, Arun Seth, Hon Leong, Chinthaka C. Heyn, Isabelle Aubert, Kullervo Hynynen, Nir Lipsman
Summary: This study demonstrates that MRgFUS has the potential to enrich circulating brain-derived biomarkers, showing promising applications for liquid biopsy in the brain.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Grazia Menna, Giacomo Piaser Guerrato, Lal Bilgin, Giovanni Maria Ceccarelli, Alessandro Olivi, Giuseppe Maria Della Pepa
Summary: The lack of studies on liquid biopsy for brain tumors indicates that it is currently not widely used in the field of central nervous system cancers. This systematic review focuses on the application of machine learning to liquid biopsy for brain tumors, aiming to provide practical guidance for neurosurgeons and explore potential challenges.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Scott Schoen, M. Sait Kilinc, Hohyun Lee, Yutong Guo, F. Levent Degertekin, Graeme F. Woodworth, Costas Arvanitis
Summary: Brain tumors located in the central nervous system (CNS) present a unique challenge due to limited drug access to the brain tumor microenvironment (TME). Recent advancements in microbubble ultrasound contrast agents and ultrasound energy have shown promise in enhancing drug delivery to brain tumors. This technology has the potential to improve the effectiveness of both traditional chemotherapy and novel immunotherapeutic agents. Early clinical studies have demonstrated safety, and ongoing Phase I/II trials are testing the preclinical findings.
ADVANCED DRUG DELIVERY REVIEWS
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Jordina Rincon-Torroella, Harmon Khela, Anya Bettegowda, Chetan Bettegowda
Summary: Despite current limitations in detecting brain tumor biomarkers in blood or cerebrospinal fluid, disrupting the blood-brain barrier with MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) shows promise in enhancing the presence of these biomarkers. The non-invasive nature of liquid biopsies can provide valuable insights into tumor evolution and treatment response, offering new possibilities for future management of brain tumor patients.
JOURNAL OF NEURO-ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Charlotte Berard, Charles Truillet, Benoit Larrat, Frederic Dhermain, Marie-Anne Esteve, Florian Correard, Anthony Novell
Summary: The therapeutic management of gliomas is a difficult task due to the challenges presented by brain tumors, including the presence of blood-brain barriers that prevent effective drug delivery. Focused ultrasound-mediated BBB disruption offers a promising non-invasive method to enhance drug delivery into brain tumors. Clinical trials and preclinical studies have demonstrated the potential of this approach in glioma therapy. However, there are still challenges to overcome for its clinical use.
PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sinan Sabuncu, Jose Montoya Mira, Arnaud Quentel, Michelle M. M. Gomes, Fehmi Civitci, Jared M. M. Fischer, Adem Yildirim
Summary: This study presents the development of biodegradable hydrophobic nanoparticles that can stabilize small gas pockets for ultrasound therapeutics. The nanoparticles can rapidly degrade in simulated body fluid or in vivo, while retaining strong cavitation activity. They can be used to ablate tumors at lower ultrasound intensities and enrich circulating tumor DNA for improved liquid biopsies.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Luping Qiu, Zhining Zhu, Jing Liang, Xiaohui Qiao, Huning Xu, Huijing Xiang, Hong Ding, Yu Chen
Summary: This article reviews recent advances in the use of ultrasound and micro/nanoparticles for the treatment of brain diseases, elaborating on the composition and function of ultrasound-sensitive nanoplatforms based on different therapeutic principles, as well as validating their in vitro and in vivo therapeutic effects. The article also discusses the biosafety issues related to future clinical translation and potential challenges and prospects.
COORDINATION CHEMISTRY REVIEWS
(2024)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Hsin Chan, Hsin-Yun Chang, Win-Li Lin, Gin-Shin Chen
Summary: This study developed a transcranial focused ultrasound (FUS) technique dedicated for large-volume mild hyperthermia in the brain, which can improve delivery of antitumor nanodrugs and generate a hyperthermic zone. The results demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of this developed FUS technique.
Review
Oncology
Rajneesh Mungur, Jiesheng Zheng, Ben Wang, Xinhua Chen, Renya Zhan, Ying Tong
Summary: The use of LIFU+MBs in drug delivery for glioblastoma has shown to be a safe and effective method, with improved drug uptake and tumor control without causing harm to brain structures.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sheng-Kai Wu, Chia-Lin Tsai, Yuexi Huang, Kullervo Hynynen
Summary: The presence of blood-brain barriers is a major obstacle in effectively delivering therapeutics to the central nervous system, especially in treating malignant brain tumors. Conventional methods have not been successful, but techniques like convention-enhanced delivery and focused ultrasound show promise in overcoming this challenge.
Review
Oncology
Ying Meng, Christopher B. Pople, Dan Budiansky, Daniel Li, Suganth Suppiah, Mary Jane Lim-Fat, James Perry, Arjun Sahgal, Nir Lipsman
Summary: Focused ultrasound is a promising therapeutic modality for various neuro-oncological diseases, allowing direct tumor control through thermal or mechanical ablation, and enhancing drug delivery through disruption of the blood-brain barrier. The technology also has the potential to induce radiosensitization, immunomodulation, and neuromodulation, showcasing its versatility in cancer therapy.
JOURNAL OF NEURO-ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Keiko M. Kang, Koushik Muralidharan, Anudeep Yekula, Julia L. Small, Zachary S. Rosh, Pamela S. Jones, Bob S. Carter, Leonora Balaj
Summary: The study developed a novel plasma-based ddPCR assay for detecting BRAF V600E mutations in patients with brain tumors and metastasis, demonstrating its potential as a diagnostic adjunct and monitoring tool for BRAF mutant gliomas and brain metastasis.
Review
Oncology
Luca Paun, Alessandro Moiraghi, Gianpaolo Jannelli, Aria Nouri, Francesco DiMeco, Johan Pallud, Torstein R. Meling, Shahan Momjian, Karl Schaller, Francesco Prada, Denis Migliorini
Summary: Focused Ultrasound (FUS) is a promising therapy in the treatment of high-grade glioma (HGG) due to its non-invasiveness. While the efficacy of FUS-mediated ablation in human HGG patients remains controversial, FUS-mediated Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) opening shows potential with minimal complications, indicating it may become a reliable technique for improving local chemotherapy delivery and antitumoral immune response in the future. Ongoing trials are expected to provide more data on the impact of FUS-mediated BBB opening on survival outcomes and drug delivery capabilities in HGG patients.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yeh-Hsing Lao, Robin Ji, Joyce K. Zhou, Kathy J. Snow, Nancy Kwon, Ethan Saville, Siyu He, Shradha Chauhan, Chun-Wei Chi, Malika S. Datta, Hairong Zhang, Chai Hoon Quek, S. Sarah Cai, Mingqiang Li, Yaned Gaitan, Lawrence Bechtel, Shih-Ying Wu, Cathleen M. Lutz, Raju Tomer, Stephen A. Murray, Alejandro Chavez, Elisa E. Konofagou, Kam W. Leong
Summary: This study demonstrates a safe and effective gene editing technique by using focused ultrasound to transiently open the blood-brain barrier for the transport of CRISPR/Cas9 machinery to the brain.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Carmen Gasca-Salas, Beatriz Fernandez-Rodriguez, Jose A. Pineda-Pardo, Rafael Rodriguez-Rojas, Ignacio Obeso, Frida Hernandez-Fernandez, Marta del Alamo, David Mata, Pasqualina Guida, Carlos Ordas-Bandera, J. Ignacio Montero-Roblas, Raul Martinez-Fernandez, Guglielmo Foffani, Itay Rachmilevitch, Jose A. Obeso
Summary: MRgFUS-BBB opening in PDD is safe, reversible, and can be performed repeatedly. This study provides encouragement for the concept of BBB opening for drug delivery to treat dementia in PD and other neurodegenerative disorders.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Zhongtao Hu, Si Chen, Yaoheng Yang, Yan Gong, Hong Chen
Summary: By designing and fabricating an affordable, easy-to-use, high-precision FUS device, precise BBB opening in small animal research was achieved. The spatial precision of targeting individual brain structures was improved by using higher frequency FUS transducers.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Yan Gong, Dezhuang Ye, Chih-Yen Chien, Yimei Yue, Hong Chen
Summary: This study determines the optimal treatment strategy for achieving efficient and homogeneous large-volume blood-brain barrier opening (BBBO) at the brainstem using focused ultrasound combined with microbubble-mediated BBBO. The study finds that interleaved sonication combined with bolus injection of microbubbles results in higher efficiency and homogeneity compared to other strategies. The efficiency and homogeneity can be monitored by 2D passive cavitation imaging (PCI).
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Arash Nazeri, Zeljka Krsnik, Ivica Kostovi, Sung Min Ha, Janja Kopic, Dimitrios Alexopoulos, Sydney Kaplan, Dominique Meyer, Joan L. Luby, Barbara B. Warner, Cynthia E. Rogers, Deanna M. Barch, Joshua S. Shimony, Robert C. McKinstr, Jeffrey J. Neil, Christopher D. Smyser, Aristeidis Sotiras
Summary: This study used unsupervised multivariate pattern analysis to analyze a large sample of magnetic resonance imaging data, revealing coordinated patterns of white matter maturation during the early postnatal period and the contributions of microstructural indices. By comparing the findings with histological features, it provides a concise and effective representation of early postnatal white matter reorganization.
Article
Physics, Applied
Zhongtao Hu, Yaoheng Yang, Lu Xu, Yun Jing, Hong Chen
Summary: This study introduces Airy-beam-enabled binary acoustic metasurfaces (AB BAMs) for underwater ultrasound-beam manipulation, designed and fabricated by 3D printing. These AB BAMs offer capabilities for flexible tuning of focal region size, 3D beam focusing, and continuous manipulation of complex acoustic fields.
PHYSICAL REVIEW APPLIED
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jung Hoon Cho, Zipeng A. Li, Lifei Zhu, Brian D. Muegge, Henry F. Roseman, Eun Young Lee, Toby Utterback, Louis G. Woodhams, Philip V. Bayly, Jing W. Hughes
Summary: Primary cilia in pancreatic islets have both sensory and motile function, and play a regulatory role in insulin secretion.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Dezhuang Ye, Jinyun Yuan, Yaoheng Yang, Yimei Yue, Zhongtao Hu, Siaka Fadera, Hong Chen
Summary: This study investigates the potential of focused ultrasound-mediated intranasal delivery (FUSIN) in delivering adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors to the brain. The results show that FUSIN achieves safe and efficient delivery to spatially targeted brain locations and is comparable to established delivery methods.
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Christopher Pham Pacia, Jinyun Yuan, Yimei Yue, Eric C. Leuthardt, Tammie L. S. Benzinger, Arash Nazeri, Hong Chen
Summary: This study evaluated the feasibility and safety of focused ultrasound-mediated liquid biopsy (sonobiopsy) in detecting brain-derived protein biomarkers in tau protein-related diseases. Sonobiopsy released phosphorylated tau species and neurofilament light chain into the blood circulation, potentially facilitating diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders.
Article
Clinical Neurology
F. Rahmani, S. Jindal, C. A. Raji, W. Wang, A. Nazeri, G. G. Perez-Carrillo, M. M. Miller-Thomas, P. Graner, B. Marechal, A. Shah, M. Zimmermann, C. D. Chen, S. Keefe, P. LaMontagne, T. L. S. Benzinger
Summary: Auto volumetric analysis of brain MRI provides quantitative assessment of brain atrophy. In this study, the performance of AI-Rad Companion brain MRI software was compared to FreeSurfer pipeline. The results showed strong correlation, moderate consistency, and poor agreement in volume measurements between the two tools. The AI-Rad Companion tool had high specificity and sensitivity in detecting volumetric abnormalities compared to the FreeSurfer pipeline. There was no difference in the compatibility of radiologic and clinical impressions between the two tools.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF NEURORADIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Kevin Xu, Yaoheng Yang, Zhongtao Hu, Yimei Yue, Yan Gong, Jianmin Cui, Joseph P. Culver, Michael R. Bruchas, Hong Chen
Summary: The feasibility and safety of TRPV1-mediated sonogenetics in targeting the motor cortex to modulate the locomotor behavior of mice was evaluated. Stimulation at 0.7 MPa successfully evoked rotational behavior and activated cortical neurons without inducing inflammation or apoptosis. However, higher acoustic pressure at 1.1 MPa may cause meningeal damage.
JOURNAL OF NEURAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dezhuang Ye, Si Chen, Yajie Liu, Charlotte Weixel, Zhongtao Hu, Jinyun Yuan, Hong Chen
Summary: The glymphatic system is a fluid transport system for waste clearance in the brain. Researchers have discovered that ultrasound sonication combined with circulating microbubbles can mechanically enhance glymphatic transport in the brain. This study demonstrates the potential of using ultrasound and microbubbles to improve waste clearance in the brain.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Zhongtao Hu, Yaoheng Yang, Dezhuang Ye, Si Chen, Yan Gong, Chinwendu Chukwu, Hong Chen
Summary: This study developed a low-cost, easy-to-use, and precise focused ultrasound (FUS) device for preclinical research in small animal models. The detailed protocol includes building the FUS transducer, attaching it to a stereotactic frame for precise brain targeting, applying the integrated FUS device for blood-brain barrier opening (BBBO) in mice, and evaluating the outcome of FUS-BBBO.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Siaka Fadera, Chinwendu Chukwu, Andrew H. Stark, Yimei Yue, Lu Xu, Chih-Yen Chien, Jinyun Yuan, Hong Chen
Summary: This study demonstrates the potential of focused ultrasound combined with microbubble-mediated blood-brain barrier opening as a safe and effective method for delivering immune checkpoint inhibitors to brain tumor cells in large animal models.
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Galen Cheng, Timothy Campbell, Changyong Feng, Scott Quarrier, Rajat Jain
Summary: This study investigated the use of a low-dose protocol in fluoroscopy-guided access during percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) to reduce radiation exposure. The results showed that low-dose fluoroscopy and decreased frame rate significantly decreased radiation dose without affecting stone-free status or complication rates.