Ultrasound Cancer Treatment Gains Momentum in Asia with Support from Li Ka-shing
Focused ultrasound is gaining popularity as a noninvasive treatment for a variety of diseases, including cancer. The Li Ka Shing Foundation contributes to the advancement of healthcare in Asia through donations and sponsorship. As cancer rates rise, there is a growing demand for innovative treatments such as focused ultrasound.
Neal Kassell, founder and chairman of the Focused Ultrasound Foundation in the United States, noted an increase in the number of treatments and clinical trials in recent years, which has prompted investment in devices that use high-intensity sound waves to target and ablate diseased tissues.
Kassell cited an increase in treatments, clinical trials, and research sites, as well as equipment manufacturers securing investments from strategic investors and major financial institutions, as evidence of focused ultrasound's growth. Notably, US-based HistoSonics, a developer of focused ultrasound devices, drew interest from investors, including the Li Ka Shing Foundation, which donated a device to the University of Hong Kong for liver tumour treatment.
The Li Ka Shing Foundation's recent announcement that it will donate two machines to Hong Kong hospitals, sponsor the treatment of 20 patients, and support the training of six doctors and radiologists by HistoSonics demonstrates the organization's commitment to advancing healthcare in the region. Kassell highlighted HistoSonics' technology, which breaks up and dissolves tumour cells, as an alternative to thermal ablation, which destroys tissues by heating them.
With China's projected increase in new cancer cases, demand for innovative treatments such as focused ultrasound is expected to skyrocket. The procedure, first developed in 1950 for psychiatric disorders, has gained popularity over the last 25 years, providing patients with a non-invasive option with minimal downtime and potentially lower costs than traditional treatments.
Companies such as Insightec and Chongqing Haifu Medical Technology lead the global focused ultrasound industry, with annual equipment sales ranging from US$300 million to US$400 million. With 77 equipment manufacturers worldwide, including 22 in Asia, research on treatments for 180 medical disorders has been conducted, with 35 approved for commercialisation. The industry expects companies to exceed US$100 million in annual sales, potentially leading to public offerings or acquisitions in the near future.
Last year saw a significant increase in focused ultrasound treatments worldwide, with approximately 140,000 procedures performed, a threefold increase over 2018. The majority of these treatments (80%) were for prostate, pancreatic, liver, and uterine fibroids.
In terms of reimbursement, government healthcare providers or private insurers in 11 nations cover treatments for uterine fibroids, while the coverage extends to nine countries for prostate cancer and six for Parkinson's disease. The Focused Ultrasound Foundation has allocated a budget of US$16 million this year, with half of the funds dedicated to research support. Furthermore, the Focused Ultrasound Hong Kong Foundation, founded in 2020, focusses on research and fundraising in Asia.
Currently, Hong Kong lacks specific regulations governing medical devices. According to a spokeswoman for the Department of Health, some products may be subject to existing legislation to ensure safety, quality, and performance. Urology specialist Ma Wai-kit emphasised the growing attention that focal therapies such as ultrasound, cold energy, microwave, and electrical energy have received in the treatment of prostate cancer as more clinical studies are published.
Ma Wai-kit stated that not all prostate cancer patients are appropriate candidates for focal therapies, citing factors such as disease stage and location, patient age, medical condition, and availability of specific treatments. When compared to other treatment options, focused ultrasound has the fewest side effects, including urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and rectal inflammation.
Patients receiving focused ultrasound treatments, on the other hand, must adhere to more stringent follow-up care due to a higher overall recurrence rate when compared to surgery or radiotherapy, according to Ma Wai-kit.
Focused ultrasound gaining recognition as a non-invasive treatment for various diseases, including cancer
Li Ka Shing Foundation's support for advancing healthcare in Asia through donations and sponsorships
Growing demand for innovative treatments like focused ultrasound in response to rising cancer cases
Source: SCMP