Improving non-invasive treatment for liver tumors using focused ultrasound
Developing Methods for Precise, Safe and Target-location Specific Histotripsy of Liver Tumors
This study is looking at a new way to use sound waves to safely destroy liver tumors without harming nearby healthy tissue, and it's aimed at helping more people with liver cancer get effective treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10922727 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing a technique called histotripsy, which uses focused ultrasound to non-invasively destroy liver tumors. By optimizing this method, the researchers aim to create safe and effective ablation zones that can treat tumors located near critical structures without causing damage to surrounding tissues. The study involves large animal models to test the efficacy and safety of this approach, with the goal of increasing the number of patients who can benefit from curative treatments for liver cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with liver tumors, particularly those whose tumors are located near critical structures that complicate traditional treatment options.
Not a fit: Patients with liver tumors that are not amenable to ablation or those with advanced liver disease may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a safer and more effective treatment option for patients with liver tumors, potentially increasing the number of individuals eligible for curative therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Preliminary studies have shown promising results for histotripsy, indicating that this approach may be a novel and effective treatment for liver tumors.
Where this research is happening
Madison, United States
- University of Wisconsin-Madison — Madison, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ziemlewicz, Timothy J — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Ziemlewicz, Timothy J
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.