A new study from Concordia University researchers introduces an innovative approach to combat cancer tumors using ultrasound-guided microbubbles, a technology commonly utilized in medical imaging and drug delivery.
Published in the journal Frontiers in Immunology, the researchers outline a method that employs ultrasound to enhance the behavior of T cells, crucial components of the immune system, by increasing their permeability. This modification influences the release of over 90 types of cytokines, signaling molecules essential for immune responses.
The team focused ultrasound beams on freshly isolated human immune cells combined with clinically approved contrast agent microbubbles. The ultrasound causes the bubbles to vibrate at high frequencies, which applies a push-pull effect on T cell membranes. This mimics the T cell's natural reaction to antigens, prompting the secretion of vital signaling molecules that tumors typically inhibit.
Brandon Helfield, an associate professor of biology and physics and the supervising author of the paper, stated, "We’re combining ultrasound and microbubbles to modulate brain immunology with cancer immunotherapy, which utilizes our immune cells to combat cancer."
This method addresses a significant challenge in cancer treatment: tumors' ability to deactivate T cells from producing essential cytokines. Lead author Ana Baez, a PhD candidate, noted, "The microbubbles can reactivate the cells turned off inside the tumor, allowing them to release proteins necessary for generating more immune and blood cells, creating a positive feedback loop."
Results indicated that cytokine secretion increased between 0.1 to 3.6 times compared to untreated cells over 48 hours. However, when ultrasound enhanced cell membrane permeability, the overall cytokine release decreased.
Although findings are preliminary, the researchers aim to further explore the pathways through which the immune system combats cancer. They believe this research could enhance existing cancer treatments and cellular therapies.
Helfield, a Tier II Canada Research Chair in Molecular Biophysics in Human Health, remarked, "We already use microbubbles clinically as image-guided tools. In the future, we could transition from imaging to therapeutic applications, localizing effects on T cells where needed." Baez added, "This non-invasive technique allows for repeat applications and may incorporate cancer-targeting drugs in treatment."
The study also involved contributions from Davindra Singh, Stephanie He, Mehri Hajiaghayi, Fatemeh Gholizadeh, and Peter Darlington and was supported by the Canada Research Chairs Program, the Cancer Research Society, and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).
For more details, refer to the paper titled "Immunomodulation of human T cells by microbubble-mediated focused ultrasound."