A groundbreaking ultrasound treatment for liver cancer has been successfully administered to a patient at Addenbrooke”s Hospital in Cambridge, marking a significant milestone for the NHS. This innovative procedure, known as histotripsy, employs ultrasound technology to selectively destroy cancer cells in a non-invasive manner.
The treatment, which can be completed in as little as 30 minutes, utilizes ultrasound waves to generate tiny bubbles from gases found within tumor tissue. These bubbles form and collapse rapidly, effectively obliterating cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Roger Jackson, an 80-year-old retired sales manager from Bedford, was the first NHS patient to undergo this procedure outside of clinical trials.
Dr. Teik Choon See, a consultant interventional radiologist at the Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, led the histotripsy procedure, which took place earlier this month. He expressed optimism about the treatment, stating, “Histotripsy represents a major and exciting step forward in cancer treatment. It allows us to target tumors more precisely while sparing surrounding healthy tissue, offering patients a safer and faster alternative to traditional therapies.” He also noted that in some cases, the procedure may activate the patient”s immune response, potentially aiding in the elimination of remaining cancerous tissue.
Mr. Jackson reported feeling fortunate to be the first recipient of this new treatment, stating, “It is impressive to think that sound waves can treat cancer, without the need for patients like me to go through intensive surgery, at what already is a stressful time.” He was discharged from the hospital just one day after the procedure, underscoring the shorter recovery times associated with histotripsy.
The histotripsy technology has been fast-tracked in Great Britain, receiving unmet clinical need authorization (Ucna) under the Innovative Devices Access Pathway, overseen by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). This allows for the use of specific medical devices under certain conditions before they receive full regulatory approval. Initially, Addenbrooke”s will provide this treatment to select patients suffering from primary and secondary liver cancers.
Roland Sinker, the chief executive of Cambridge University Hospitals, emphasized the significance of this development, stating, “Histotripsy represents a hugely exciting and new era of cancer innovation and care. With faster recovery times and shorter hospital stays, this not only reduces the strain on our hospital beds but also frees up surgeons to focus on more complex cancer cases, helping to cut waiting times.”
Health Secretary Wes Streeting remarked that this advancement signifies the dawn of a new generation in cancer treatment, praising the streamlined approval processes that have enabled this cutting-edge therapy to reach NHS patients more quickly. He stated, “We are lighting the fuse beneath the technological revolution, transforming care for NHS patients.” The histotripsy technology, developed in the United States, has already treated over 2,000 patients globally since receiving FDA approval for liver tumor destruction earlier this year. Research is ongoing to evaluate its effectiveness for other types of cancer.
