Ep27: How Histotripsy is Changing the Game: A Conversation with Zhen Xu, PhD

04/08/25 • 30 min

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In this episode of Curing with Sound, Zhen Xu, PhD, the Li Ka Shing Endowed Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Michigan, discusses histotripsy. Dr. Xu and her colleagues developed histotripsy, the first noninvasive, nonthermal ultrasound ablation technique that received FDA approval for liver tumor treatment in 2023. Her work has led to multiple clinical trials on histotripsy treatment for malignant and benign tumors.

Dr. Xu shares the 20-year journey from initial discovery to clinical application and highlights histotripsy's remarkable ability to mechanically break down targeted tissue without incisions or radiation. She also recounts inspiring patient stories from clinical trials, including patients who experienced no pain and returned to normal activities immediately after treatment.

Regulatory Approval: In October 2023, the FDA cleared HistoSonics’ novel therapy platform, EdisonTM, to treat liver tumors. EdisonTM uses histotripsy to noninvasively destroy liver tissue. This is the first time the use of histotripsy has earned regulatory approval worldwide.
The Science Behind Histotripsy: Dr. Xu explains how histotripsy uses focused ultrasound pulses to rapidly expand and collapse microbubbles that break down targeted cells with remarkable precision.
Future Directions: Dr. Xu envisions continued expansion of histotripsy applications over the next five years, including wider adoption for liver tumors, regulatory approvals for additional indications, and the development of new platforms for brain and shallow tumor treatments.

Histotripsy Lab: histotripsy.umich.edu
Connect on Linked In: Dr. Zhen Xu

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
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Regulatory Approval: In October 2023, the FDA cleared HistoSonics’ novel therapy platform, EdisonTM, to treat liver tumors. EdisonTM uses histotripsy to noninvasively destroy liver tissue. This is the first time the use of histotripsy has earned regulatory approval worldwide.
The Science Behind Histotripsy: Dr. Xu explains how histotripsy uses focused ultrasound pulses to rapidly expand and collapse microbubbles that break down targeted cells with remarkable precision.
Future Directions: Dr. Xu envisions continued expansion of histotripsy applications over the next five years, including wider adoption for liver tumors, regulatory approvals for additional indications, and the development of new platforms for brain and shallow tumor treatments.

Histotripsy Lab: histotripsy.umich.edu
Connect on Linked In: Dr. Zhen Xu

Email [email protected] if you have questions about focused ultrasound or the Foundation.

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Previous Episode

Ep26: A New Lease on Life: Michael’s Experience with Focused Ultrasound for Essential Tremor

In honor of Essential Tremor Awareness month, this episode of Curing with Sound, features Michael Werner, a healthcare attorney, who has lived with essential tremor most of his life. After years of struggling with increasingly debilitating tremors that affected daily activities like eating and cooking, he chose to have a noninvasive focused ultrasound procedure.

Michael's story highlights the critical gap in awareness about focused ultrasound technology, even among healthcare professionals. Despite having tremors since high school that progressively worsened with age, doctors initially recommended only medication or deep brain stimulation surgery without mentioning focused ultrasound as an option.

It wasn't until a neurosurgeon at NIH asked why he wasn't considering focused ultrasound that Michael learned about this groundbreaking alternative treatment, which ultimately provided immediate and significant symptom improvements with minimal side effects.

Key points include:

Immediate Results – Michael’s condition improved immediately following the two-hour focused ultrasound procedure, allowing him to write his name and hold objects steadily for the first time in years.
Confidence in the Procedure – After successfully treating his right hand nine months ago, Michael plans to return for bilateral treatment to improve his left side.
Advocacy & Awareness – As both a patient and healthcare lawyer, Michael participates in advocacy efforts, including a congressional fly-in, to raise awareness about focused ultrasound treatment among policymakers and potential patients.

All patient stories featured on the Curing with Sound podcast are personal accounts of an individual’s experience with focused ultrasound treatment. Please be aware that each patient’s situation is unique, and outcomes may vary. The information provided in this story should not be considered as medical advice or a guarantee of specific results. It is important to consult with a qualified healthcare provider to discuss your condition and determine the best treatment options for you. The Focused Ultrasound Foundation does not endorse any specific treatment or medical procedure and encourages all patients to seek professional medical guidance tailored to their individual needs.

Email [email protected] if you have questions about focused ultrasound or the Foundation.

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Next Episode

Ep28: Breaking the Cycle: Focused Ultrasound for Addiction with James Mahoney, PhD

In this episode of Curing with Sound, James Mahoney, PhD, associate professor and neuropsychologist at West Virginia University, discusses the use of focused ultrasound for addiction treatment. Dr. Mahoney and the team at the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute are using neuromodulation to target the nucleus accumbens - the brain's reward center - to help patients with severe opioid use disorders who haven't responded to conventional treatments.

The team recently published results from a clinical trial demonstrating that this innovative approach is not only safe but also effective at reducing substance cravings, decreasing actual substance use, and that these changes continued through a 90-day follow-up.

Discussion highlights:

Adjunctive Therapy – The study uses focused ultrasound as part of an integrated treatment plan with patients also utilizing standard of care practices, including medication for opioid use disorder, and behavioral treatments, working with therapists and support groups.
Comprehensive Benefits – Beyond reducing substance cravings, researchers noted increased treatment engagement among patients, and the return of more functional lifestyles, including reconnecting with family, and maintaining employment.
Future Applications – Current research is expanding to other substance use disorders, including methamphetamine and cocaine, as well as behavioral addictions like binge eating disorder and gambling, with promising preliminary results.

WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute

Email [email protected] if you have questions about focused ultrasound or the Foundation.

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