A New Use of Ultrasound Opens the Door to Safer Cancer Treatments
Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States, second only to heart disease. In response to this ongoing challenge, researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) are exploring a promising new approach that could significantly improve how cancer is treated: using ultrasound to soften tumors without damaging healthy tissue.
For decades, chemotherapy has been a cornerstone of cancer treatment. While effective in many cases, chemotherapy often faces limitations when tumors become too dense for drugs to penetrate their inner layers. Additionally, chemotherapy can harm healthy cells, leading to difficult side effects that impact patients’ quality of life.
In a study published in the scientific journal ACS Applied Nano Materials, a research team led by engineer Shane Curry introduced a novel technique that pairs high-frequency ultrasound waves with sound-responsive microscopic particles. Rather than destroying tumor tissue, the method focuses on altering the tumor’s structure to make it more accessible to therapeutic drugs.
Andrew Goodwin, senior author of the study and associate professor of chemical and biological engineering at CU Boulder, compared tumors to poorly planned cities. “There are pathways inside tumors, but they’re not well organized, making it difficult for treatments to reach their target,” he explained. “If we can improve those internal transport routes, drugs can do their job more effectively.”
Ultrasound is already widely used in medicine, particularly for imaging and diagnostic purposes. In some cases, it is also used to destroy tumor tissue, but high-intensity ultrasound can damage blood vessels and surrounding healthy tissue. The innovation behind this study lies in the use of tiny particles—about 100 nanometers in size—made of silica and coated with fatty molecules, designed to respond precisely to sound waves.
When exposed to ultrasound, the particles vibrate rapidly and create microscopic bubbles through a process known as cavitation. Laboratory tests showed that in three-dimensional tumor models, which closely resemble human tissue, the treatment softened the tumor without breaking it apart. This outcome suggests a lower risk of harm to healthy cells.
The researchers believe this approach could be especially effective for cancers with localized tumors, such as prostate, bladder, breast, and ovarian cancers. Currently, the team is testing similar sound-responsive particles in animal models and exploring future possibilities for delivering them inside the human body using antibodies that can target tumors directly.
While clinical applications may still be years away, experts say the findings highlight the potential of combining advanced ultrasound technology with nanomaterials. This strategy could help make cancer treatments safer, more precise, and more effective, offering renewed hope for patients and their families.
