Sonodynamically induced antitumor effect of gallium-porphyrin complex by focused ultrasound on experimental kidney tumor

The antitumor effect of a gallium-porphyrin complex, ATX-70, induced by focused ultrasound, on colon 26 carcinoma implanted in a mouse kidney was investigated. Colon 26 tumors were exposed to focused ultrasound at 500 kHz and 1 MHz in a progressive wave mode. Both frequency components were superimposed onto each other in the focal zone to efficiently produce cavitation in the tumor. ATX-70 was administered intravenously at the dose of 2.5 mg/kg, 24 h before the ultrasonic exposure. Antitumor effects were evaluated by histological observation 7 days after the exposure. The destruction of tumor tissue was observed with the ultrasonic treatment in combination with ATX-70, while neither the treatment with ATX-70 alone nor that with ultrasound alone caused any necrosis. These results first demonstrated that antitumor effects of a porphyrin compound can be induced by focused ultrasound in a progressive wave mode.