Ultrasound-created microbubbles can deliver anti-cancer drugs to tumors in difficult-to-reach areas such as the brain stem and spinal cord, a pilot study in children has revealed.

The microbubbles provide a potential entry point for treatments aimed at the central nervous system that are not usually able to traverse the blood-brain barrier.

Focused ultrasound (FUS) radiation temporarily opened this naturally protective barrier, which is designed to filter out molecules above a certain size to prevent toxins and infectious agents from reaching functional brain tissue.

The technique excited microscopic particles called microbubbles, causing them to expand and contract and temporarily increase the barrier’s permeability.

It enabled oral panobinostat to be delivered using a mobile device o

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