Sunday, November 28 | 10:45 a.m.-10:55 a.m. | SSA21-01 | Room S504AB
In this Sunday morning presentation, researchers from Stanford University in Stanford, CA, will demonstrate their use of low-frequency ultrasound to sonicate cells and release blood biomarkers that could improve detection of occult cancers.While diagnostic tests that measure biomarkers such as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) have become important tools in the early detection of disease, such biomarkers are usually only present in low concentrations in blood. Preview research indicates that low-frequency ultrasound compromises the permeability of cell membranes; the Stanford team wanted to see whether such ultrasound waves, applied to potential tumor sites, could release more biomarkers into the bloodstream, thus making tumors easier to detect. The study will be presented by lead researcher Aloma D'Souza, PhD.
The researchers used a mouse model in which cancer cell lines were exposed to 1-MHz ultrasound of various intensities and durations. Cancer cell lines included colon-LS174T and prostate-LNCaP, which produce biomarkers CEA, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), and prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Subcutaneous tumors of LS174T in mice (n = 7 per group; n = 28 total) were also sonicated directly over the tumors. In the control group, mice were sonicated on regions without tumors.
The researchers used an enzyme-linked immunoabsorbant assay to detect biomarkers in culture media or murine blood samples. They found that applying 1-MHz ultrasound to LS174T at various intensities intensified the CEA released into the blood.
The researchers also found a substantial increase in PSA when ultrasound was applied to the prostate cancer cell line LNCaP, according to both the intensity and duration of the ultrasound wave.
The technique demonstrates a method for increasing the release of biomarkers in mice by using ultrasound to sonicate cells or tumors, the authors concluded. They believe that the study could demonstrate how medical imaging can become involved in personalized medicine by perturbing lesions and amplifying the release of biomarkers.
![Examples of ultrasound findings and techniques. (A) Images in a 39-year-old male patient with a mass in the left thigh. The mass is heterogeneous on the B-mode US image (compared with the patient in D) and showed increased microvascularity (superb microvascular imaging [SMI]) and shear-wave elastography (SWE) values. Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma was diagnosed at biopsy (with pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma in surgical specimen). (B) Images in an 18-year-old male patient with a mass in the left leg. The mass is hypoechoic on the B-mode image, with no other findings suggestive of malignancy. The lesion is in contact with the cortex of the tibia, which is slightly irregular. CT revealed a doubtful anteromedial tibial erosion. The microvascular study demonstrated high vascularization, suggestive of malignancy. Periosteal Ewing sarcoma was diagnosed with both histologic and immunohistochemical confirmation. (C) Images in a 69-year-old female patient with a lump growing on the outside of the left leg. Multiple SWE examinations were performed (please note the high values obtained in the measurements, whereas the color map highlights the stiffness relative to adjacent tissues). SMI showed areas of increased vascularization to target for sampling. Undifferentiated spindle cell sarcoma was diagnosed at biopsy, with residual leiomyosarcoma in the surgical specimen after neoadjuvant therapy. (D) Images in a 56-year-old female patient with a mass in the right thigh. The mass is heterogeneous at both B-mode ultrasound (similar to patient A) and MRI (coronal T2-weighted spectral attenuated inversion recovery [SPAIR]; T1-weighted pre-contrast and postcontrast imaging), which even shows uptake after the administration of paramagnetic contrast material, which is traditionally suggestive of malignancy. Low values at SMI and elastography are suggestive of benignity. Spindle cell lipoma was diagnosed at biopsy, with atypical spindle cell lipomatous tumor in the surgical specimen.](https://img.auntminnie.com/mindful/smg/workspaces/default/uploads/2026/08/images-radiol250278fig2.APCFLSvX6p.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=100&q=70&w=100)
![Examples of ultrasound findings and techniques. (A) Images in a 39-year-old male patient with a mass in the left thigh. The mass is heterogeneous on the B-mode US image (compared with the patient in D) and showed increased microvascularity (superb microvascular imaging [SMI]) and shear-wave elastography (SWE) values. Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma was diagnosed at biopsy (with pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma in surgical specimen). (B) Images in an 18-year-old male patient with a mass in the left leg. The mass is hypoechoic on the B-mode image, with no other findings suggestive of malignancy. The lesion is in contact with the cortex of the tibia, which is slightly irregular. CT revealed a doubtful anteromedial tibial erosion. The microvascular study demonstrated high vascularization, suggestive of malignancy. Periosteal Ewing sarcoma was diagnosed with both histologic and immunohistochemical confirmation. (C) Images in a 69-year-old female patient with a lump growing on the outside of the left leg. Multiple SWE examinations were performed (please note the high values obtained in the measurements, whereas the color map highlights the stiffness relative to adjacent tissues). SMI showed areas of increased vascularization to target for sampling. Undifferentiated spindle cell sarcoma was diagnosed at biopsy, with residual leiomyosarcoma in the surgical specimen after neoadjuvant therapy. (D) Images in a 56-year-old female patient with a mass in the right thigh. The mass is heterogeneous at both B-mode ultrasound (similar to patient A) and MRI (coronal T2-weighted spectral attenuated inversion recovery [SPAIR]; T1-weighted pre-contrast and postcontrast imaging), which even shows uptake after the administration of paramagnetic contrast material, which is traditionally suggestive of malignancy. Low values at SMI and elastography are suggestive of benignity. Spindle cell lipoma was diagnosed at biopsy, with atypical spindle cell lipomatous tumor in the surgical specimen.](https://img.auntminnie.com/mindful/smg/workspaces/default/uploads/2026/08/images-radiol250278fig2.APCFLSvX6p.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=2&fit=crop&h=167&q=70&w=250)
