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Microbubble-Mediated Cavitation Promotes Apoptosis and Suppresses Invasion in AsPC-1 Cells

Jing Cao1, Chenlu Hu2, Hang Zhou1

  • 1Department of Ultrasound, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.

Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology
|November 22, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Microbubble-mediated cavitation effectively promotes cancer cell apoptosis and suppresses invasion. This ultrasound and microbubble combination therapy shows potential for cancer treatment by inducing cell death and reducing metastasis.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Biophysics
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Cancer cell invasion and apoptosis resistance are critical challenges in oncology.
  • Microbubble-mediated cavitation is an emerging therapeutic modality with potential anti-cancer effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanisms by which microbubble-mediated cavitation influences apoptosis and invasion in AsPC-1 cancer cells.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of combined ultrasound and microbubble treatment on cancer cell behavior.

Main Methods:

  • AsPC-1 cells were treated with ultrasound (US) and microbubbles (MB), alone or in combination (US + MB).
  • Cell viability was assessed using Cell Counting Kit-8.
  • Apoptosis markers (caspase-3, Bcl-2, Bcl-2-associated X protein), proliferation marker (Ki67), invasion markers (HIF-1α, vimentin, E-cadherin), and invadopodium formation were analyzed.
  • Intracellular calcium ion levels were measured.

Main Results:

  • Combined US + MB treatment significantly decreased AsPC-1 cell viability and proliferation (lower Ki67, weakened colony formation).
  • US + MB induced apoptosis, evidenced by increased cleaved caspase-3 and Bcl-2-associated X protein, and decreased Bcl-2 levels.
  • Invasion was suppressed, with reduced intracellular calcium ions, lower HIF-1α and vimentin, higher E-cadherin, and less invadopodium formation.

Conclusions:

  • Microbubble-mediated cavitation effectively promotes apoptosis in AsPC-1 cells.
  • This approach significantly suppresses cancer cell invasion and metastasis-associated markers.
  • Combined ultrasound and microbubble therapy presents a promising strategy for cancer treatment by targeting both cell death and invasion pathways.
Keywords:
Apoptosis, InvasionCavitationPancreatic cancerUltrasound

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