US Researchers Develop Ultrasound-Activated ‘Smart’ Immune Cells to Fight Cancer:

Researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) have developed a revolutionary cancer treatment using a new type of immune cell that can detect and kill cancer cells over extended periods—all activated remotely through ultrasound. Named EchoBack CAR T-cells, this innovation could mark a major leap forward in cancer immunotherapy.

How EchoBack CAR T-Cells Work

Published in the journal Cell, the study highlights that EchoBack CAR T-cells can maintain their ability to fight tumours for up to five times longer than traditional CAR T-cells. These cells are engineered to respond to focused ultrasound, which serves as an on-switch, enabling targeted action on tumour cells while sparing healthy tissue.

Unlike first-generation CAR T-cells, which become exhausted within 24 hours, the new generation can remain active for at least 5 days after ultrasound activation at the tumour site.

Fewer Hospital Visits for Patients

Lead researcher Dr. Longwei Liu from USC's Viterbi School of Engineering said:

"With earlier versions, patients might need daily treatments. Now, with EchoBack cells, treatment intervals could be reduced to once every two weeks—or even less frequently."

This reduced frequency could significantly improve patient quality of life and treatment efficiency.

Ultrasound as a Safe Trigger for Immune Response

The team chose ultrasound technology for its precision and safety. By applying short 10-minute ultrasound pulses, scientists can control when and where the EchoBack CAR T-cells activate. These engineered immune cells are then able to recognize cancer cells nearby and launch a targeted attack.

Lab Tests Show Stronger and Longer Activity

In laboratory experiments using mouse models with prostate cancer and glioblastoma cells, the EchoBack CAR T-cells outperformed standard CAR T-cells in both tumor suppression and cell endurance.

Dr. Liu explained:

"Standard CAR T-cells were exhausted and inactive after repeated exposure to tumor cells. In contrast, the EchoBack cells maintained stronger function, showed less fatigue, and demonstrated improved killing ability."

The EchoBack CAR T-cell innovation not only extends the effectiveness of immunotherapy but also opens the door for more controlled, less invasive cancer treatments, especially for tumors that were previously hard to treat with conventional methods.