AKC Canine Health Foundation - 39

Histotripsy: A Novel Treatment for Osteosarcoma
Joanne Tuohy, DVM, PhD
Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine
BIOGRAPHY
I am a veterinary surgical oncologist and an immunologist. I
believe in the strength of a One Health approach to comparative
oncology research to benefit both veterinary and human patients
with cancer. The overall goal of my research is to improve
cancer outcomes for veterinary and human patients via tumor
ablation and immunotherapy, especially for patients with
osteosarcoma and lung tumors. Specifically, my research team
investigates the use of two non-thermal tumor ablation
techniques - histotripsy and high-frequency irreversible electroporation (H-FIRE). My research
focuses on developing histotripsy as a tumor ablation modality for the primary tumor in
osteosarcoma, and on developing H-FIRE as a tumor ablation modality for metastatic tumors in
osteosarcoma and primary lung tumors. Additionally, my research also evaluates the immune
response after histotripsy and H-FIRE ablation of tumors. My research team utilizes veterinary
clinical trials, preclinical models and in-vitro systems to explore the ablative and
immunomodulatory effects of histotripsy and H-FIRE.
PRESENTATION ABSTRACT
Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone cancer in dogs, and in children/adolescents.
The survival outcomes for OS patients have not improved in the last several decades. Despite
multi-modal intensive therapy, the outcome for those with metastatic or recurrent OS remains
dismal. Metastatic OS remains a primary hurdle to improving survival. Novel treatment
advances for OS are sorely needed. Histotripsy represents an innovative technique with the
potential to make a major breakthrough in OS treatment. Histotripsy is the first completely noninvasive,
non-thermal, and non-ionizing ablation method that has been shown to destroy cancer
cells and also potentially stimulate the host immune system and synergistically enhance the
effectiveness of systemic therapies such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Histotripsy is a
focused ultrasound therapy that mechanically disintegrates tumors into acellular debris via
controlled acoustic cavitation ( " bubble clouds " ). With its non-invasive and immunostimulatory
nature, histotripsy thus holds exciting promise as a paradigm-shifting treatment modality for
combating OS. This presentation focuses on the initial and ongoing development of histotripsy
for treating OS. Our research team utilizes in-vitro cell culture and molecular biology techniques
as well as canine clinical trials for pet dogs with spontaneously occurring OS to develop
histotripsy for clinical translation. Our results thus far demonstrate histotripsy's ability to ablate
OS cells and suggest immune upregulation after histotripsy ablation of OS.
CURRENT CHF GRANTS
03000: Characterizing the Immunomodulatory Response of Histotripsy in Canine Osteosarcoma
2023 National Parent Club Canine Health Conference
Presented by the AKC Canine Health Foundation and Nestlé Purina PetCare

AKC Canine Health Foundation

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AKC Canine Health Foundation