Ultrasound Hyperthermia Technology for Radiosensitization

Ultrasound Med Biol. 2019 May;45(5):1025-1043. doi: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2018.12.007. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Abstract

Hyperthermia therapy (HT) raises tissue temperature to 40-45°C for up to 60 min. Hyperthermia is one of the most potent sensitizers of radiation therapy (RT). Ultrasound-mediated HT for radiosensitization has been used clinically since the 1960s. Recently, magnetic resonance-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (MRgHIFU), which has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for thermal ablation therapy, has been adapted for HT. With emerging clinical trials using MRgHIFU HT for radiosensitization, there is a pressing need to review the ultrasound HT technology. The objective of this review is to overview existing HT technology, summarize available ultrasound HT devices, evaluate clinical studies combining ultrasound HT with RT and discuss challenges and future directions.

Keywords: Cancer; Hyperthermia; Magnetic resonance thermometry; Magnetic resonance-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound; Radiosensitization; Radiotherapy; Ultrasound.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation / methods*
  • Humans
  • Hyperthermia, Induced / methods*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Interventional
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Radiation Tolerance*
  • Ultrasonography