Ultrasound activated paclitaxel delivery in mice using a combined therapy and imaging probe system

Localized therapeutic effects of an experimental therapeutic agent on a mouse MC38 tumor model were evaluated using a combined ultrasound therapy and imaging probe system (TIPS). With ultrasound activated paclitaxel delivery, the tumor growth is substantially retarded for at least 3 days. The therapeutic effect of ultrasound is statistically significant (p=0.03) within one day after treatment but gradually decreases with time. Therefore, it is suggested that multiple treatments over a long period are required for cancer treatment. It is also demonstrated in this preclinical study that TIPS is an effective tool for imaging-guided, ultrasound-activated drug delivery.