HIFU-Induced Gene Activation in a Cell-Embedded Tissue Mimicking Phantom

Abstract

The synergistic integration of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) thermal ablation and HIFU-induced gene therapy represents a promising approach in improving the overall efficacy and quality of cancer therapy. Previous studies have demonstrated that HIFU can induce GFP gene activation under the control of hsp70B promoter in a murine tumor model [1]. Thermal stress has been identified as the primary mechanism to regulate the gene expression. However, the natural heterogeneity and opacity of solid tumors has hindered direct correlation of site-specific gene expression level with in situ thermal dosimetry. We have developed a homogeneous and transparent cell-embedded tissue mimicking phantom as an alternative for simultaneous assessment of temperature distribution, HIFU lesion formation, and gene expression.