Noninvasive ultrasound for brain disease diagnosis and treatment

Meeting & Discussion

1.Neuronavigation System Guides Focused Ultrasound (FUS) to Open the
Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB): Neuronavigation system is used to guide FUS f
or penetrate the human skull and focus energy at a depth of 5-10 cm belo
w the skull. This technology was praised as one of the top three ultrasoun
d brain drug delivery technologies in Nature Review Neurology 2020. The
first-in-man clinical trial (NCT04446416) was completed in 2020, revealed
the temporary opening of the BBB at the target site with no adverse side e
ffect. These results were published in Science Advances at 2021. Following
clinical trial (NCT04446416) for BBB opening to enhance bevacizumab deli
very is finished, the results demonstrated significantly better outcomes th
an historical records. The team also received approval from the U.S. FDA and collaborate with Dr. Michael Lim from Stanford University to conduct cl
inical trials at 2023.
2.Enhanced Radiotherapy for Brain Tumors: Preclinical studies demonstrat
ed that FUS can regulate brain microenvironment, enhancing the efficacy
of radiotherapy. A clinical trial assessing the safety of combining radiation
therapy with this approach is currently ongoing (NCT04988750) and will c
omplete enrollment by the end of 2023.
3.Brain Tumor Sonodynamic therapy: FUS can activate sonosensitizers to e
liminate tumor cells. Promising therapeutic effects have been observed in
preclinical studies. This concept is currently undergoing clinical trial applic
ations and will receive approval by the end of 2023.
4.Assisted Liquid Biopsy of Brain Diseases: By opening BBB, this technique
facilitates the release of brain biomarkers into the bloodstream, thereby i
mproving detection efficacy. Our results demonstrated FUS can increase t
he concentration of blood cell free DNA 2 to 3 folds, potentially improve t
he efficacy of brain liquid biopsy.
This technology has innovative applications in drug delivery, treatment, a
nd diagnosis of brain disorders, with great potential for future th

Chang Gung Medical Foundation

In the early 1970s, healthcare systems in Taiwan were undergoing a crisis. Sick and injured people faced numerous obstacles in receiving adequate medical help. In addition, the Medical schools and colleges were severely lacking in resources and training facilities prompting many would-be doctors to go abroad for further training, many of which would not return. This resulted in an outflow of national talent and further depletion of adequate personnel to improve the healthcare system. Prompted by a personal tragic experience involving the medical treatment of his own father, and driven by a sense of mission to give back to society, Mr Wang Yung-ching of the Formosa Plastics Group founded the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Group in 1973.