Radioenhancement using ultrasound-stimulated microbubbles and nanoparticles

2024 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K07643
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 52040:Radiological sciences-related
• Research Institution: Kobe University
• Principal Investigator: Nakayama Masao 神戸大学, 医学研究科, 医学研究員 (60582004)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 石原 武明 神戸大学, 医学部附属病院, 特命講師 (10546477) ; 椋本 成俊 神戸大学, 医学部附属病院, 特命助教 (70634278)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2025-03-31
• Keywords: マイクロバブル / 超音波 / 放射線治療 / ナノ粒子

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This in vitro study demonstrated significant cell-killing effects on pancreatic cancer cells when ultrasound-stimulated microbubbles and X-rays were used in combination. The results suggest that ultrasound-stimulated microbubbles can enhance the therapeutic efficacy of radiation therapy additively, whilst the synergistic dose enhancement effects may be dependent on the cell type and microbubble concentration. However, they did not improve the efficacy of nanoparticle-induced radiosensitisation. As the ultrasound exposure settings used in this study were limited, further studies with different experimental settings are needed to confirm the effects of ultrasound-stimulated microbubbles on radiation therapy and nanoparticles.

Free Research Field

放射線治療

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

マイクロバブル・超音波照射による放射線増感効果、さらにナノ粒子との併用効果に関する過去の報告数は少なく、その有効性については不明であった。本研究の成果によりマイクロバブル・超音波照射の放射線増感効果の可能性が示されたとともに、新たな課題も明らかになり、今後マイクロバブルを用いたがん放射線治療の研究発展につながると考えられる。