OBJECTIVE: The hypothesis that exposure of a solid tumor to high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) could lead to an increase of metastases was investigated in an animal model. METHODS: The highly metastatic AT-6 Dunning R3327 rat prostate cancer subline was implanted into the hind limb of Fisher-Copenhagen rats and was exposed to 1 pulse/mm2 tumor (acoustical power 1,000 W/cm2) delivered by an experimental machine (Ablatherm, Technomed, France), or the animals were sham treated, as soon as the tumor had reached a volume of 175-225 mm3. The tumor-bearing leg was amputated 24 h later and the number of metastases examined 12 weeks thereafter at autopsy. RESULTS: Metastases were seen in 3 (23%) of the 13 animals exposed to HIFU and in 4 (25%) of the 16 sham-treated animals; this is not significantly different. There was also no significant difference in weight of the lungs that contained metastases between sham-treated and HIFU-treated animals. CONCLUSION: Metastatic spread of animal tumors with a high metastatic potential is not enhanced by HIFU exposure.
OBJECTIVE: The hypothesis that exposure of a solid tumor to high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) could lead to an increase of metastases was investigated in an animal model. METHODS: The highly metastatic AT-6 Dunning R3327 ratprostate cancer subline was implanted into the hind limb of Fisher-Copenhagen rats and was exposed to 1 pulse/mm2 tumor (acoustical power 1,000 W/cm2) delivered by an experimental machine (Ablatherm, Technomed, France), or the animals were sham treated, as soon as the tumor had reached a volume of 175-225 mm3. The tumor-bearing leg was amputated 24 h later and the number of metastases examined 12 weeks thereafter at autopsy. RESULTS:Metastases were seen in 3 (23%) of the 13 animals exposed to HIFU and in 4 (25%) of the 16 sham-treated animals; this is not significantly different. There was also no significant difference in weight of the lungs that contained metastases between sham-treated and HIFU-treated animals. CONCLUSION: Metastatic spread of animal tumors with a high metastatic potential is not enhanced by HIFU exposure.
Authors: Hilary Hancock; Matthew R Dreher; Nigel Crawford; Claire B Pollock; Jennifer Shih; Bradford J Wood; Kent Hunter; Victor Frenkel Journal: Clin Exp Metastasis Date: 2009-06-11 Impact factor: 5.150