Women getting diagnosed with breast cancer are not a new update for anyone now. There has been a great rise in the number of women getting diagnosed with cancer worldwide. It has now become one of the most popular cancers among females. According to world health organization, breast cancer cases have now surpassed other related cancers till now. And can be eradicated and controlled to a greater extent if detected at an early stage.

In a groundbreaking pilot study published in the International Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, researchers explored the potential of a cutting-edge treatment known as Sono-photodynamic therapy (SPDT) in managing advanced refractory breast cancer. The study showcases the efficacy of this innovative therapy, which combines full-body ultrasound with photodynamic therapy, in a cohort of twelve patients.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an established therapeutic method. The successful application of this method has been limited to superficial lesions because of the limited penetration of laser light into tumor tissues. Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) developed as a complementary or alternative therapy to PDT. It uses a combination of low-intensity ultrasound and specialised plant-based sonosensitizers, which can be activated by ultrasound. Ultrasound is able to penetrate deeply into body and can be focused on a small region of tumor where it activates the sonosensitizer, creating a cascade of endogenous cytotoxic agents. The advantage of ultrasound is that it penetrates more deeply than light, and therefore it is likely to be more effective for the treatment of deeper tumours than PDT.

SPDT takes a dual-pronged approach, utilizing both ultrasound and specialized agents called sonosensitizers to target cancer cells. This approach holds the potential to surpass the limitations associated with conventional Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) due to its increased penetration into deeper tissue layers. Notably, the study reported that SPDT was not associated with serious side effects, offering a more gentle yet effective alternative for patients. 

Among the twelve participants, eleven had metastases in various areas, including the viscera, brain, and bone. Remarkably, after the initial round of treatment, the overall response rate stood at an impressive 75%. Two patients achieved a complete response (16.67%), while seven patients achieved a partial response (58.33%). The study also emphasized that SPDT could be safely combined with low-dose chemotherapy, producing positive outcomes for patients with varying levels of illness. 

“SPDT represents a promising advancement in cancer therapy,” said Zhand W, lead author of the study. “By harnessing the power of ultrasound and innovative sonosensitizers, we are able to potentially enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy and minimize side effects, offering new hope to patients with advanced breast cancer.” 

This study paves the way for further research into SPDT as a systemic adjunct therapy for advanced cancer treatment. While the pilot study focused on breast cancer, the implications of this approach could extend to other types of cancer as well. Experts believe that SPDT, combined with holistic care plans addressing lifestyle factors, could play a pivotal role in transforming cancer treatment paradigms. 

For more information about this groundbreaking study and its potential implications, please refer to the complete research article titled “Sonodynamic and Photodynamic Therapy in Breast Cancer – A Pilot Study,” published in the International Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 

SoSDT 4 LIFE is a world leading holistic cancer treatment centre, located at the Foresea Life Insurance Guanghzou General Hospital, south east China. Formerly known as ‘GSB’ – after the hospital that was our home for the previous 10 years – SoSDT 4 LIFE moved to FLI’s newly built and much larger premises, in the beginning of 2023.

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