Dr. Porter is excited to partner with CTF and the Focused Ultrasound Foundation to develop a new treatment option for NF2.

“Thermosensitive liposomes have proven to be an effective tool for localized delivery of anticancer agents to solid tumors, predominantly in adult patients,” said Dr. Porter. “Focused ultrasound allows for triggered drug release specifically in the tumor, thus minimizing systemic exposure and the associated toxic effects. We believe this treatment strategy can be equally effective against pediatric brain tumors.”

“This study is a first step toward addressing some of the unmet needs in the pediatric field,” said Focused Ultrasound Foundation Chairman Neal F. Kassell, M.D. “The Foundation recognizes the tremendous impact that focused ultrasound could have on young patients because it avoids surgery and radiation therapy and has fewer side effects than more traditional treatments. We are honored to partner with CTF and Dr. Porter on this project.”

In August 2020, the Focused Ultrasound Foundation and CTF first collaborated to host a webinar and virtual panel discussion that introduced focused ultrasound to the neurofibromatosis (NF) research community.


About Children's Tumor Foundation
The Children’s Tumor Foundation is the world’s leading nonprofit dedicated to funding and driving innovative research that will result in effective treatments for the millions of people worldwide living with NF, a group of genetic disorders that causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body. One in every 3,000 people is born with some type of neurofibromatosis or schwannomatosis, which may lead to blindness, deafness, bone abnormalities, disfigurement, learning disabilities, disabling pain, or cancer. NF affects all populations equally, and while there is no cure yet, the Children’s Tumor Foundation mission of driving research, expanding knowledge, and advancing care for the NF community fosters our vision of one day ending NF.


About Focused Ultrasound
Focused ultrasound uses ultrasound energy guided by real-time imaging to treat tissue deep in the body without incisions or radiation. It is FDA approved in the United States to treat essential tremor, tremor-dominant Parkinson’s disease, uterine fibroids, pain from bone metastases, osteoid osteoma, and the prostate. Dozens of additional indications are approved outside of the U.S. The technology is in various stages of research and development for nearly 160 diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease and tumors of the brain, liver, breast, and pancreas.

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