How the University of Michigan Uses Sound to Cure Cancer

Researchers at the University of Michigan have pioneered a ground breaking non-invasive cancer treatment called histotripsy, which uses focused ultrasound waves to mechanically obliterate liver tumours without surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy.

This technique has recently received FDA approval for clinical use in humans, marking a significant advancement in cancer therapy.

What Is Histotripsy?

Histotripsy employs high-intensity, focused ultrasound pulses to create microbubbles within tumour tissue. As these bubbles rapidly expand and collapse – a process known as cavitation – they generate mechanical forces that disintegrate cancer cells with millimetre precision. Unlike thermal ablation or radiation, histotripsy is non-ionizing and non-thermal, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue and preserving critical structures such as blood vessels and bile ducts.

Clinical Trial Success

The #HOPE4LIVER clinical trial, initiated in 2021, evaluated histotripsy’s safety and efficacy in treating primary and metastatic liver tumours. Conducted across the U.S. and Europe, the trial treated 44 patients with 49 tumours. Results showed a 95% technical success rate, with only three major complications reported – two of which were likely related to the underlying cancer rather than the procedure itself.

These outcomes led to FDA approval in late 2023, allowing HistoSonics, a company co-founded by U-M researchers, to market its Edison histotripsy platform to healthcare providers.

Potential Beyond Liver Cancer

Preclinical studies in rodents have demonstrated that histotripsy not only destroys tumour tissue but also stimulates the immune system. In one study, destroying 50–75% of a liver tumour led to complete regression in over 80% of animals, with no recurrence or metastasis observed. This immunostimulatory effect suggests potential for histotripsy to be combined with immunotherapies, enhancing systemic cancer treatment.

Building on these findings, new clinical trials are underway to assess histotripsy’s effectiveness in treating other cancers, including kidney, pancreatic, and prostate tumours.

A Breakthrough in Non-invasive Cancer Therapy

Histotripsy represents a significant leap forward in cancer treatment, offering a non-invasive, precise, and tissue-sparing alternative to the current harmful therapies. Its ability to preserve healthy tissue while effectively destroying tumours positions it as a promising option for patients with liver cancer and potentially other tumour types.

For more information on histotripsy and ongoing clinical trials, you can visit the University of Michigan’s Rogel Cancer Center or the Histotripsy Lab.

yogaesoteric
June 13, 2025