{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Radiation enhancement using focussed ultrasound-stimulated microbubbles for head and neck cancer: A phase 1 clinical trial.
{Author}: Moore-Palhares D;Saifuddin M;Dasgupta A;Anzola Pena ML;Prasla S;Ho L;Lu L;Kung J;Karam I;Poon I;Bayley A;McNabb E;Stanisz G;Kolios M;Czarnota GJ;
{Journal}: Radiother Oncol
{Volume}: 198
{Issue}: 0
{Year}: 2024 Sep 13
{Factor}: 6.901
{DOI}: 10.1016/j.radonc.2024.110380
{Abstract}: <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>Preclinical research demonstrated that the exposure of microbubbles (intravascular gas microspheres) to focussed ultrasound within the targeted tumour upregulates pro-apoptotic pathways and enhances radiation-induced tumour cell death. This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of magnetic resonance (MR)-guided focussed ultrasound-stimulated microbubbles (MRgFUS-MB) for head and neck cancers (HN).<BR><B>METHODS: </B>This prospective phase 1 clinical trial included patients with newly diagnosed or recurrent HN cancer (except nasopharynx malignancies) for whom locoregional radiotherapy with radical- or palliative-intent as deemed appropriate. Patients with contraindications for microbubble administration or contrast-enhanced MR were excluded. MR-coupled focussed ultrasound sonicated intravenously administered microbubbles within the MR-guided target volume. Patients receiving 5-10 and 33-35 radiation fractions were planned for 2 and 3 MRgFUS-MB treatments, respectively. Primary endpoint was toxicity per CTCAEv5.0. Secondary endpoint was tumour response at 3 months per RECIST 1.1 criteria.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Twelve patients were enrolled between Jun/2020 and Nov/2023, but 1 withdrew consent. Eleven patients were included in safety analysis. Median follow-up was 7 months (range, 0.3-38). Most patients had oropharyngeal cancer (55 %) and received 20-30 Gy/5-10 fractions (63 %). No systemic toxicity or MRgFUS-MB-related adverse events occurred. The most severe acute adverse events were radiation-related grade 3 toxicities in 6 patients (55 %; dermatitis in 3, mucositis in 1, dysphagia in 6). No radiation necrosis or grade 4/5 toxicities were reported. 8 patients were included in the 3-month tumour response assessment: 4 had partial response (50 %), 3 had complete response (37.5 %), and 1 had progressive disease (12.5 %).<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>MRgFUS-MB treatment was safe and associated with high rates of tumour response at 3 months.