Acoustic Cluster Therapy (ACT) enhances the therapeutic efficacy of paclitaxel and Abraxane® for treatment of human prostate adenocarcinoma in mice

Abstract

Acoustic cluster therapy (ACT) is a novel approach for ultrasound mediated, targeted drug delivery. In the current study, we have investigated ACT in combination with paclitaxel and Abraxane® for treatment of a subcutaneous human prostate adenocarcinoma (PC3) in mice. In combination with paclitaxel (12 mg/kg given i.p.), ACT induced a strong increase in therapeutic efficacy; 120 days after study start, 42% of the animals were in stable, complete remission vs. 0% for the paclitaxel only group and the median survival was increased by 86%. In combination with Abraxane® (12 mg paclitaxel/kg given i.v.), ACT induced a strong increase in the therapeutic efficacy; 60 days after study start 100% of the animals were in stable, remission vs. 0% for the Abraxane® only group, 120 days after study start 67% of the animals were in stable, complete remission vs. 0% for the Abraxane® only group. For the ACT + Abraxane group 100% of the animals were alive after 120 days vs. 0% for the Abraxane® only group. Proof of concept for Acoustic Cluster Therapy has been demonstrated; ACT markedly increases the therapeutic efficacy of both paclitaxel and Abraxane® for treatment of human prostate adenocarcinoma in mice.