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Project

Opening the brain blood barrier to treat brain tumours (SonoFIRST)

Glioblastoma, the most common form of malignant primary brain tumour in adults, is an incurable disease with a poor prognosis and an average survival rate of about 15 months under current therapies. One of the major obstacles to treatment is the blood brain barrier. Part of our body’s natural defence system, the blood brain barrier keeps disease-causing pathogens from passing into brain tissue, but it also blocks medicines that doctors want to introduce into our brains.

A new technology called SonoCloud uses low ultrasonic energy to stimulate microbubbles that stretch capillary walls and create a temporary opening in the brain blood barrier. A first-in-human trial of the technology has shown that it can be used to give a chemotherapy drug to glioblastoma patients, and that it appeared to improve the effectiveness of treatment.

With EIT Health Funding, the SonoFIRST project will conduct the first European clinical trial of the technology, making it possible for Europe to become the initial market to benefit from this revolutionary treatment.

Date:1 Jan 2020 →  31 Dec 2022
Keywords:Glioblastoma, SonoCloud, chemotherapy drug
Disciplines:Cancer therapy