NHS Patients to Receive Innovative Cancer Treatment Using Sound

NHS patients in the UK will be the first in Europe to experience a revolutionary cancer treatment that utilizes sound waves to eliminate tumors.

This method, called histotripsy, doesn’t require the scalpel incisions typical of traditional surgeries and doesn’t involve radiation or chemotherapy.

Instead, it employs a machine that generates ultrasound waves to create a focused cluster of bubbles from gases naturally occurring in the tissue being targeted. These bubbles rapidly form and collapse, causing damage to cancer cells.

Initial trials suggest that this technique can effectively destroy tumors while preserving adjacent organs, leading to quicker recovery times and reduced side effects.

Described as a “significant advancement” by regulators, this therapy will initially be available to patients with liver tumors at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge. Patients receiving this treatment will do so as part of their standard NHS care.

The procedure will take place during a single outpatient session lasting up to 30 minutes. Dr. Teik Choon See, an interventional radiologist at Addenbrooke’s, mentions, “It’s like having an ultrasound scan — it’s not invasive at all.” However, he does caution that patients may experience some pain or discomfort afterward. Nevertheless, histotripsy carries a lower risk of complications compared to ablation, a method that destroys liver tumors through heat.

The UK has approved this technology through an innovative access pathway managed by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). This pathway is intended to expedite the approval of potentially transformative medical devices that address urgent health needs while ensuring safety and efficacy.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who has endorsed early access to this technology, noted, “By reducing bureaucratic delays, we’ve enabled this life-saving, non-invasive treatment to reach patients sooner than anticipated.”

According to the charity Liver Cancer UK, liver cancer cases in the UK have jumped by over 40% in the last ten years, driven by factors like excessive alcohol use, rising obesity rates, and the increasing prevalence of hepatitis infections. Currently, around 6,000 people die from the disease each year.

Liver cancer is known for having one of the lowest survival rates among various cancers and is also experiencing one of the most rapid increases in mortality. Statistics indicate that just 13% of patients survive beyond five years after diagnosis.

Roland Sinker, chief executive of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, commented, “Histotripsy is an exciting new technology that will significantly impact patients. By offering this less invasive, targeted treatment, we can care for more outpatient cases and allocate more time for complex surgeries.”

The establishment of the first histotripsy system in the UK at Addenbrooke’s Hospital was made possible with support from the Li Ka Shing Foundation, a longstanding supporter of cancer research in Cambridge. The technology was developed by the American firm HistoSonics.

Sinker further emphasized that quicker recovery times would allow patients to return to their daily routines sooner, reducing the strain on hospital beds and enabling timely treatment for others. He expressed enthusiasm about acquiring this advanced machine.

Additional studies are planned to investigate the application of histotripsy for treating kidney and pancreatic cancers.

Fiona Carey, who is undergoing treatment for kidney cancer and co-chairs the patient advisory group at the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital, expressed optimism: “This is excellent news. A new, non-invasive treatment option for these cancers is immensely welcome. For patients for whom traditional surgery isn’t viable, this could make a significant difference.”

James Pound, interim executive director of innovation and compliance at the MHRA, expressed enthusiasm about the regulatory process, stating, “This serves as a strong example of agile regulation. By collaborating through the innovative devices access pathway, we’ve demonstrated that we can deliver promising technologies to patients more quickly without compromising safety.”

He concluded that this is a significant advancement for liver cancer patients and showcases the UK’s potential to lead in responsible innovation addressing genuine clinical needs.