Ultra-steerable ultrasound therapy for soft tissue sarcoma
Ultrasound-guided Ultra-steerable Histotripsy Array System for Non-invasive treatment of Soft Tissue Sarcoma
A new ultrasound device is being developed to non-invasively shrink or remove soft tissue sarcomas while protecting nearby nerves, blood vessels, and bones.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11323137 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I had a soft tissue sarcoma near important structures, this project is building an advanced ultrasound system that can precisely steer focused sound waves to mechanically break up tumor tissue without cutting. The technique, called histotripsy, uses controlled cavitation (microbubbles) instead of heat to turn tumor tissue into acellular debris while sparing vessels, nerves, and bone. Researchers will design an ultra-steerable array and ultrasound guidance tools, test them in controlled models, and prepare the approach for future clinical testing. The long-term goal is a non-invasive option to debulk or shrink tumors to make surgery easier or potentially replace it for some patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with soft tissue sarcomas that are difficult to remove surgically—especially tumors close to major nerves, blood vessels, or bones—would be the most suitable candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with small, easily resectable sarcomas or those with widespread metastatic disease are less likely to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a non-surgical option to shrink or remove hard-to-operate sarcomas and reduce the need for risky surgeries or amputations.
How similar studies have performed: Histotripsy has shown promise in animal studies and early human work for other tumor types, but using an ultra-steerable system specifically for soft tissue sarcomas is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xu, Zhen — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Xu, Zhen
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.