Using sound waves to destroy pancreatic tumors

Deploying Histotripsy Based Tumor Ablation Strategies to Treat Pancreatic Cancer

['FUNDING_R01'] · VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INST AND ST UNIV · NIH-11070370

This study is exploring a new way to treat pancreatic cancer using sound waves to safely target and destroy tumors, and it aims to help patients by finding a better treatment option for this tough disease.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorVIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INST AND ST UNIV (nih funded)
Locations1 site (BLACKSBURG, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11070370 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research investigates a new treatment for pancreatic cancer using a technique called histotripsy, which employs sound waves to non-invasively destroy tumors. The approach is designed to precisely target cancerous tissue while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy structures. The research team will conduct experiments using animal models to gather important data on the safety and effectiveness of this method, with the goal of paving the way for future clinical trials in humans. Patients may benefit from a novel treatment option that could improve outcomes for this challenging cancer.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer who have not responded well to existing treatments.

Not a fit: Patients with early-stage pancreatic cancer or those who are not candidates for tumor ablation may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, effective treatment option for patients with pancreatic cancer.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise with similar non-invasive tumor ablation techniques, suggesting potential for success with histotripsy.

Where this research is happening

BLACKSBURG, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.