Sonodynamic Therapy: An Emerging Treatment for Deadly Brain Tumors

Abstract

Researchers and clinicians have made great strides against many cancers but, unfortunately, not all of them. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remains incredibly deadly – the five-year survival rate is a meager 5%. Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is an almost universally fatal pediatric brain tumor. The five-year survival is around 2%. GBMs are generally treated with surgery and radiation. DIPG is so thoroughly embedded in the pons that surgery is impossible. Radiation can provide some small relief, and clinicians have seen some promise in CAR-T therapy. [3] However, the gains are uncertain and the cost in side effects quite high.