Excitement is building for the 2nd International Symposium on MR-guided Focused Ultrasound, scheduled for October 17 through 20 in Washington, D.C.

Registration and abstract submissions are in progress. Symposium planners have just released the preliminary scientific program and names of confirmed speakers, session moderators and discussion panelists, many of whom are pioneers and leading figures in the field of MR-guided focused ultrasound.

Friends of the Foundation can now receive updates via Facebook and Twitter as new details become available about the 2nd International Symposium on MR-guided Focused Ultrasound and other Foundation activities.

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Findings recently reported by Lili Chen, Ph.D., Associate Professor and a medical physicist in the Radiation Oncology Department of Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, indicate that MR-guided focused ultrasound has the potential to increase the efficacy of docetaxel in treating prostate cancer.  Supported by a Foundation research award totaling $102,324, Chen set out to answer two key questions:

1) Would high intensity focused ultrasound increase the cellular uptake of the chemotherapy drug, docetaxel, in vivo?

2) Would increased uptake of docetaxel combined with radiotherapy enhance tumor growth inhibition?

The paradigm for treating cancer and other debilitating diseases is shifting toward more targeted, personalized approaches that could improve therapeutic outcomes and minimize the harsh side effects of chemotherapy.

“Today, most cancer patients receive a combination of surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy,” observes Joy M. Polefone, Ph.D. “However, the day is fast approaching when a single treatment option will enable clinicians to perform the functions of surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy with minimal invasiveness, few side effects and increased efficacy. We believe that focused ultrasound-mediated targeted drug delivery (FUS-TDD) could be that option.” Polefone is director of the Foundation’s newest initiative – the FUS-TDD Program – which is aimed at accelerating clinical applications of this innovative approach by fostering collaboration among the best and the brightest in the field.

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The Focused Ultrasound Surgery Foundation is honored to announce that three leading researchers have joined the advisory committees for its Research Award and Fellowship Programs.