# Development of Methods for Precise MR-guided Hyperthermia Delivery for Targeted Cancer Therapies

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · 2020 · $201,251

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT
There is an unmet clinical need of precise delivery of hyperthermia therapy (HT) to tumors. Novel
immunotherapies, such as checkpoint inhibitors and therapeutic cancer vaccines, have dramatically improved
responses to a wide variety of refractory malignancies, relative to standard of care chemotherapies. But
benefits remain limited to a minority of patients, as low as 20%, who likely have a pre-existing immune
response. HT has shown promise as an adjuvant to radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. A phase III
clinical trial has demonstrated improved local progression- and disease-free survival for patients with soft
tissue sarcomas when treated with HT in addition to radiation and chemotherapy. However, a non-invasive
technique for precise delivery of HT to deep tumor targets remains lacking.
MR-guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS) is a novel technique for non-invasive ablation that is capable of
targeted heating of deep focal spots with MRI temperature monitoring. It is currently being used for ablation of
deep soft tissue tumors, such as uterine fibroids. Clinically available MRgFUS systems are technically capable
of delivering prolonged moderate heating required for HT. If these devices could be modified to produce HT as
an immunotherapy adjuvant, the combination of therapies may significantly improve response to these novel
immunotherapies.
The objective of this project is to develop a HT delivery system based on a commercially available FDA
approved body focused ultrasound (FUS) transducer. The specific aims of the project are:
1. Establish MR thermometry techniques and parameters for monitoring and controlling hyperthermia therapy.
2. Identify ultrasound beam synthesis and control techniques, applicable to a sectored phased array in-table
transducer, for conformal heating and maintenance of elevated temperature.
3. Validate the MR thermometry guidance, beam forming and control techniques for HT delivery in ex-vivo and
in-vivo models.
The project will utilize a novel combination of technologies, including real-time MR imaging, commercially
available focused ultrasound system, and the sonication control system developed in our laboratory to
implement an HT delivery platform that would perform precise prolonged heating of large user-defined regions
with MR thermometry feedback. As an outcome of the proposed research, we expect that our ex-vivo and
animal experiments will confirm the ability to do HT with commercial FUS transducers. This will enable future
clinical trials of combination therapies and could dramatically improve survival for a wide variety of deep tissue
tumors.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9850252
- **Project number:** 5R21EB026018-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- **Principal Investigator:** Eugene Ozhinsky
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $201,251
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-02-01 → 2021-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9850252

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9850252, Development of Methods for Precise MR-guided Hyperthermia Delivery for Targeted Cancer Therapies (5R21EB026018-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9850252. Licensed CC0.

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