Key Points
- In November 2024, the Foundation hosted a workshop on the role of focused ultrasound in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
- The presentations, discussions, and action items have now been summarized in a white paper.
In November 2024, the Foundation hosted a workshop to discuss the use of focused ultrasound for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. The meeting aimed to critically evaluate the current body of evidence, assess the value of ongoing work, and create a roadmap of projects to improve outcomes and reduce barriers for patients with pancreatic cancer.
The workshop’s presentations and discussion have now been summarized in a white paper.
Approximately 50 attendees discussed and debated the following burning questions:
- What is the role of focused ultrasound in treating pancreatic cancer (e.g., pain palliation, drug delivery, immunomodulation, conversion of inoperable to operable lesions, increase in life expectancy, biomarker enhancement)?
- What focused ultrasound modality is most promising (e.g., thermal ablation, moderate hyperthermia, histotripsy, mechanical stimulation)?
- What devices are most suitable with respect to the treatment envelope, treatment time, and an optimal beam path?
- What endpoints in clinical trials should we aim for with respect to immuno-monitoring, biomarkers, clinical outcomes, and imaging?
- What therapeutics can be combined with the different focused ultrasound modalities (e.g., chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immuno-therapeutics, immuno-modulation)?
- What immunotherapy options exist for focused ultrasound in pancreatic cancer treatment to consistently convert a “cold” into a “hot” tumor or modify the tumor microenvironment, and what biomarkers are suitable?
The two-day program featured presentations and panel discussions related to the technical aspects of focused ultrasound for pancreatic cancer treatment, preclinical studies, immunotherapy challenges and opportunities, and the current clinical role of the technology and combination therapies. The group addressed issues such as poor drug penetration, immunologically “cold” tumors, difficult physical access, and limited surgical interventions at the time when the diagnosis is made.
Participants highlighted that pancreatic cancer presents unique challenges due to its location, dense stromal tissue, and typically late diagnosis. Multiple focused ultrasound approaches were discussed, including thermal ablation, histotripsy, and low-intensity focused ultrasound for drug delivery enhancement. The technology’s potential to stimulate immune responses and enhance immunotherapy effectiveness was also a significant focus of discussion.
The workshop identified several priority areas for future research, including the need for well-designed clinical trials to demonstrate efficacy, particularly in combination with current standard-of-care treatments. Participants emphasized the importance of careful patient selection as well as the potential role of focused ultrasound in pain management for palliative care.