Distinct sensitivity of normal and malignant cells to ultrasound in vitro.

The effect of ultrasonic irradiation on the viability of human normal (foreskin fibroblast and amniotic fluid epithelial) and tumor (breast carcinoma, melanoma, and lung carcinoma) cells lines was studied. Cells were subjected to ultrasonic irradiation with a frequency of 20 kHz and an intensity of 0.33 W/cm2 for variable periods of time. Several parameters were tested to determine the effects of ultrasonic irradiation on cell viability and cellular function. Normal cells were relatively resistant to ultrasonic irradiation, whereas malignant cells were much more sensitive. Maximum damage occurred 4 min after exposure of the malignant cells to irradiation. Cellular DNA and protein synthesis were significantly affected as a function of time of irradiation and cloning efficiency of malignant cells exposed to irradiation was greatly reduced. To generalize the consistency of the ultrasonic effect, studies on additional normal and malignant human cells of distinct origin are under way to test their sensitivity to ultrasonic irradiation. Thus, the applicability of ultrasonic irradiation as an antitumor agent may be important in the development of a new methodology in the treatment of cancer.