The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) held its 40th International Engineering in Medicine and Biology Conference (EMBC) July 17-21, 2018, in Honolulu, HI. The Foundation’s Chief Scientific Officer, Jessica Foley, PhD, gave a presentation on the various oncological uses of focused ultrasound as part of the faculty of an all-day workshop entitled Energy-based cancer interventions: basic science, clinical application, and technology translation.
“This audience understands focused ultrasound as a current and future treatment for cancer,” said Foley. “It has joined thermal ablation, electroporation, targeted drug delivery, and tumor treating (electric) fields as non-ionizing radiation options for disrupting cancer biology.” EBMC also included a plenary session on focused ultrasound presented by Dr. Chrit Moonen (University Medical Center Utrecht) and two abstract sessions that featured eleven papers on focused ultrasound.
Workshop Description – Energy-based Cancer Interventions: Basic Science, Clinical Application, and Technology Translation
Organizers: Ze’ev Bomzon, Punit Prakash
The start of the 20th century saw ionizing radiation therapy emerging as a first energy-based treatment for cancer. Over the last 50 years, additional energy-based methods for cancer treatment have emerged, including focused ultrasound, thermal ablation, electroporation, targeted drug delivery and tumor treating electric Fields. These modes of treatment are being integrated into oncological practice. In this workshop, leading researchers in industry and academia will provide an in-depth overview on the scientific and engineering basis of energy-based cancer therapies. The workshop will open with a basic overview of cancer biology, followed by presentations covering: low-intensity tumor treating electric fields; electroporation; thermal therapies and image-guided drug delivery; and therapeutic ultrasound. For each modality, speakers will: (1) cover the fundamental biophysical principles and cell/tissue-energy interactions; (2) illustrate how these biophysical effects are harnessed with practical devices and technologies; and (3) provide an overview of current research directions exploiting our improved understanding of tumor biology to deliver optimal therapies. Two speakers will also discuss lessons learned while translating cancer therapy technologies from concept through to product/clinical trial from an academic and industrial perspective. Attendees of the workshop will gain: (1) an overview of the fundamentals of cancer biology; (2) an in-depth understanding of the biophysical principles underlying energy-based cancer interventions; (3) an appreciation of practical technologies for treating cancer based on these principles; (4) exposure to current research trends investigating synergism of energy-based treatment modalities with other techniques (e.g., drug delivery); and (5) an understanding of the process and challenges of translating cancer treatment technologies from concept through to clinical trial.
Workshop Schedule, Speakers, and Topics
8.00 – 8.15: Welcome and Introductory Remarks
8.15 – 9.45: Dr. Anders Korshoj, Aarhus University, Fundamentals of Cancer Biology
9.45 – 11.15: Dr. Ze’ev Bomzon, Novocure Inc., Tumor Treating Fields
11.15 – 12.30: Dr. Govindrajan Srimathveeravalli, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Irreversible Electroporation
1.30 – 2.30: Dr. Punit Prakash, Kansas State University, Image-guided Thermal Therapies
2.30 – 3.45: Dr. Jonathan Coleman, Vascular Targeted Photodynamic Therapy
3.45 – 5.00: Dr. Jessica Foley, Focused Ultrasound Foundation, Focused Ultrasound Technology
5.00 – 5.30: Panel Discussion
5.30: Wrap-up
Focused Ultrasound Abstract Sessions
(SaCT14) Therapeutic Ultrasound 1 – 5 abstracts
(SaDT14) Therapeutic Ultrasound 2 – 6 abstracts