Microvascular Therapeutics Advances Non-Thermal Focused Ultrasound Technology

Microvascular Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company, has made significant strides in non-thermal focused ultrasound ablation technology. The company's research, published in Scientific Reports, details the use of MVT-101 phase-shift nanobubbles in conjunction with focused ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to treat brain tumors.

They used MVT-101 nanobubbles to create highly localized mechanical effects in brain tissue without relying on heat. This approach could offer several advantages over conventional thermal focused ultrasound, including lower ultrasound energy and less heating, which may reduce the limitations associated with skull heating.

The nanobubbles, which are intravenously administered, are activated only where focused ultrasound is applied. This targeted activation could improve access to tumor blood vessels and surrounding tissue, potentially leading to more precise treatment. Additionally, the technology allows for precise, image-guided treatment, enabling physicians to target difficult-to-reach tumors while minimizing effects on surrounding healthy tissue.

MRI played a crucial role in confirming the treatment location. The study demonstrated that MRI accurately identified the area of brain tissue treated with MVT-101 and focused ultrasound. Combining multiple MRI scans with machine-learning analysis improved detection by approximately 45% compared to a single MRI scan. This approach performed well in tumor-bearing animals, supporting its potential use in MRI-guided focused-ultrasound treatment of brain tumors.

Henrik Odéen, Ph.D., senior author of the study at the University of Utah, stated, "Phase-shift nanobubbles could allow focused ultrasound to destroy targeted tissue using less energy and less heating than conventional thermal ablation. This study also shows that MRI can help us determine where treatment occurred, an important step toward translating this approach to patients."

Emmanuelle J. Meuillet, Ph.D., Chief Operating and Scientific Officer of Microvascular Therapeutics, added, "This approach could provide a new way to destroy tumors without surgery or the heat required for conventional focused ultrasound. Equally important, MRI may allow physicians to see where treatment occurred, helping make the therapy more precise."

The technology could potentially offer a non-invasive way to target tumor tissue while reducing heating of surrounding structures. Microvascular Therapeutics is developing a platform of next-generation ultrasound contrast and therapeutic agents based on proprietary microbubble and nanobubble technologies. The company's NanoBlate™ platform is one such technology, designed for non-invasive tumor ablation.

The research was supported by Huntsman Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society, the University of Utah, and the National Institutes of Health. MVT-101 and NanoBlate™ are investigational products and have not been approved or cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or any other regulatory authority. Their safety and effectiveness in humans have not been established. Results described in this release are from preclinical studies and may not be predictive of results in human clinical trials.

Microvascular Therapeutics continues to advance its technology with the goal of providing a safe and effective treatment for difficult-to-reach brain tumors. The company's next steps include further development and clinical trials to validate the technology's potential in treating patients.