A research team at the University of Colorado Boulder has developed a novel therapeutic approach that uses ultrasound combined with vibrating nanoparticles to soften dense tumor tissue, potentially improving the effectiveness of chemotherapy. The method could help overcome a long-standing challenge in oncology: many tumors are so compact that drugs struggle to penetrate their inner layers.
Chemotherapy remains a cornerstone of cancer care, but its impact is limited when drugs cannot reach all cancer cells, or when high doses needed for efficacy cause damage to healthy tissue. “Tumors are like poorly designed cities,” explains senior author Andrew Goodwin, associate professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering. “The roads are there, but they’re difficult to navigate. We’re exploring ways to open these pathways so treatments can actually do their job.”
How the technology works
The researchers developed sound-responsive nanoparticles, silica particles about 100 nanometers in size, coated with fatty molecules, that vibrate intensely when exposed to high-frequency ultrasound. This vibration triggers cavitation, producing microbubbles that alter the tumor’s structure.
When added to tumor models and activated by ultrasound, the particles softened 3D tumor cultures by reducing proteins that stiffen the tissue. Importantly, unlike traditional therapeutic ultrasound, this approach did not destroy cells in the 3D models, suggesting it may reduce collateral damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
Lead researcher Shane Curry notes that this could help clinicians use lower-intensity ultrasound for treatment. “A major limitation in tumor therapy is delivering effective doses without harming healthy tissue. These particles may increase the potency of existing treatments while reducing risks.” The research was described in ACS Applied Nano Materials.
Targeted, minimally invasive care
The team envisions the technology being especially promising for solid tumors. including prostate, bladder, ovarian, and breast cancers, where localized treatment is feasible. Future applications may involve coating the nanoparticles with antibodies so they can circulate through the bloodstream and selectively bind to tumors before ultrasound activation. This strategy aligns with the broader movement toward precision oncology, coupling targeted drug delivery with minimally invasive interventions.
The researchers are now testing the technology in mice. While human application is still several years away, Goodwin is optimistic: “Focused ultrasound technology has advanced rapidly. We’re excited about integrating our particles with next-generation imaging and therapy platforms to support more personalized, effective cancer care.” If successful, this approach could mark a significant shift in cancer treatment, transforming ultrasound from a diagnostic tool into a key enabler of safer, more targeted therapies.
Nanopaericle therapy vor Alzheimer
A few months ago researchers from the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia and West China Hospital Sichuan University developed a nanoparticle-based therapy that reversed Alzheimer's-like symptoms in mice. Unlike traditional nanomedication, these “supramolecular drugs” not only act as a means of transport, but are themselves actively therapeutic. The treatment focuses on restoring the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which is often disrupted in Alzheimer's disease, causing the accumulation of harmful amyloid beta proteins.
In mouse models, administration of just three doses within an hour led to a 50 to 60% reduction in amyloid beta in the brain. After six months, the mice, comparable to 90-year-old humans, exhibited normal cognitive behavior again. The supramolecular particles mimic natural LRP1 ligands, allowing amyloid beta to be efficiently removed again. According to the researchers, this approach opens up a new treatment pathway that focuses on restoring vascular function, paving the way for more effective therapies for Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases.
