Innovative Approach Combines Protein Therapy and Focused Ultrasound to Enhance Cancer Treatment

Recent research from Rice University and Vanderbilt University has revealed a promising new method for treating prostate cancer by combining a small-molecule protein therapy known as tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) with focused ultrasound (FUS) therapy. This study, published in the journal Advanced Science, indicates that this combination can significantly reduce tumor size and burden in laboratory models of prostate cancer.

Globally, cancer remains a leading cause of mortality, claiming approximately 10 million lives annually. The study, spearheaded by researchers Michael King and Charles Caskey, marks a significant advancement in the search for effective treatments for advanced prostate cancer, which ranks as the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men in the United States and is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in numerous countries.

King, a prominent figure in bioengineering, emphasized the urgent need for improved treatment options for advanced prostate cancer. Current standard treatments often come with severe side effects. In contrast, the emerging FUS therapies can be precisely targeted to tumor tissues, minimizing unwanted impacts on surrounding healthy cells.

TRAIL is known for its ability to induce apoptosis specifically in cancer cells while sparing healthy cells; however, its clinical efficacy has been limited due to its short half-life in the bloodstream, necessitating frequent administrations that can lead to increased side effects. The researchers have previously established that mechanical forces, such as fluid shear stress, can enhance TRAIL's anticancer effects. This study sought to explore whether FUS could provide a viable clinical approach to combine mechanical forces with TRAIL for localized treatment of primary tumors.

Through a series of experiments using prostate cancer cell lines, graduate students Abigail Fabiano and Malachy Newman, under the guidance of their professors, optimized the operational parameters of in vitro FUS. Their findings revealed that the combination of FUS and TRAIL was markedly more effective in reducing cancer cell numbers and tumor sizes than either treatment alone, highlighting the potential of this synergistic approach.

This foundational research not only offers critical insights for developing new combination therapies for prostate cancer but also opens avenues for broader applications of mechanotherapy in oncology. The implications of combining focused ultrasound with small-molecule protein therapies could pave the way for innovative treatment strategies for various cancer types, aiming for improved outcomes with fewer adverse effects.