Ultrasound implant for the penetration of chemotherapy into the brain

2023: Start using ultrasound implant

On May 2, 2023, American researchers from Northwestern University announced the conduct of clinical trials in humans of an advanced ultrasound implant that allows removing the blood-brain barrier when performing chemotherapy for the treatment of glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumor.

Experts say that there is no effective way to combat this malignant formation. The main obstacle in performing therapy is the mentioned blood-brain barrier, which protects the nerve tissue of the brain from circulating microorganisms, toxins and other substances. This barrier serves as a highly selective filter, protecting the brain from harmful influences. However, it prevents the penetration of drugs, which makes treatment difficult.

Ultrasound implant for the penetration of chemotherapy into the brain

Reaching specialists from Northwestern University solves the problem. The new method is based on the use of ultrasound in combination with microbubbles. The four-minute procedure for opening the blood-brain barrier is carried out in the awake state of the patient, who can leave the medical institution in a few hours. The results show that such treatment is safe and well tolerated by the sick.

Scientists say that their method makes it possible to increase the concentration of the drug in the human brain by about 4-6 times compared to traditional methods of therapy. Such data are obtained using two powerful chemotherapeutic agents - paclitaxel and carboplatin. It was also established that after the ultrasound procedure, the main part of the blood-brain barrier is restored within 30-60 minutes. In the future, the technology is expected to be used in the treatment of various brain diseases.^[1]

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