Home   News   Article

Subscribe Now

UK first as Addenbrooke’s in Cambridge offers cutting-edge ultrasound surgery for cancer patients using histotripsy machine




NHS cancer patients at Addenbrooke’s Hospital will become the first in Europe to benefit from incisionless ultrasound surgery using a cutting-edge histotripsy machine.

A donation from Hong Kong-based philanthropist Sir Ka-shing Li, a longstanding supporter of cancer research at the University of Cambridge, enabled it to buy The Edison Histotripsy System.

Dr Teik Choon See, consultant interventional radiologist at CUH, demonstrates the machine. Picture: Keith Heppell
Dr Teik Choon See, consultant interventional radiologist at CUH, demonstrates the machine. Picture: Keith Heppell

Histotripsy uses pulsed sound waves to create ‘bubble clouds’ from gases present in targeted tissue which form and collapse in microseconds. This creates mechanical forces able to destroy tissue at cellular and sub-cellular levels, while avoiding the ionising energy of radiation, heat damage from thermal treatments, or the need for surgery.

Treatment can be delivered in a single session – potentially as short as 30 minutes – and causes limited or no pain. Performed as a day case, patients can expect a quick recovery.

It is hoped the technique and speed of delivery will reduce cancer treatment times, helping to prevent disease progression and improve cancer survival.

Roland Sinker, chief executive of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH), which runs Addenbrooke’s, said: “Histotripsy is an exciting new technology that will make a huge difference to patients. By offering this non-invasive, more targeted treatment, we can care for more people as outpatients and free up time for surgeons to treat more complex cases.

“The faster recovery times mean patients will be able to return to their normal lives more quickly, which will also reduce pressure on hospital beds, helping us ensure that patients are able to receive the right treatment at the right time.

“We are delighted to be receiving this new state-of-the-art machine.”

Manufactured by HistoSonics, the machine is due to be fully installed at CUH later this year, and will initially be used to treat patients with primary and secondary liver tumours before being expanded to treat tumours in other organs.

The system was demonstrated on Tuesday (10 June) by Dr Teik Choon See, consultant interventional radiologist at CUH, before guests including Solina Chau, director of the Li Ka Shing Foundation, and Baroness Merron, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Prof Deborah Prentice, vice-chancellor of the University of Cambridge, said: “Through his longstanding support of cancer research at Cambridge, Sir Ka-shing Li continues to make a significant impact on outcomes for cancer patients. Cutting-edge technology such as this histotripsy machine allows Cambridge to remain at the forefront of understanding and treating cancer, a position we aim to strengthen further with Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital.”

The histotripsy machine. Picture: Keith Heppell
The histotripsy machine. Picture: Keith Heppell

Fiona, who has lived with cancer for over two decades, is co-chair of the patient advisory group for Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital, and has been involved in planning and designing the new hospital.

She said: “This is seriously good news. A new, non-invasive option to treat these cancers is very welcome indeed. For patients for whom ordinary surgery is no longer an option, this could make all the difference.”

The Cambridge machine will be the first in the UK and Europe to treat patients as part of their clinical care pathway, outside of a 2022 trial in which 23 patients from Europe were recruited.

Worldwide, more than 1,500 patients have received treatment using histotripsy, mainly in the United States, where the US Food and Drug Administration approved its use in late 2023.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting has granted authorisation for controlled early access to the device via an unmet clinical need authorisation.

Available through the UK’s Innovative Devices Access Pathway programme, the move avoids the usual lengthy authorisation process to enable NHS patients to benefit from it years earlier.

Mr Streeting said: “Bureaucracy has become a handbrake on ambition, stopping innovation in its tracks and holding our health service back. But through our Plan for Change, we are slashing red tape, so game-changing new treatments reach the NHS front line quicker – transforming healthcare.”

“Regulation is vital to protect patients. However, as the pace of innovation ramps up, our processes must be more agile to help speed the shift from analogue to digital. Our common-sense approach to regulation will streamline approval processes so countless more patients are liberated from life-limiting conditions.”

An £11million donation was made in honour of Sir Ka-shing Li last year to support the now-renamed Li Ka Shing Early Cancer Institute.

Sir Ka-shing Li has previously made donations in support of cancer research at the university, including in 2007 to the Li Ka Shing Centre, which houses the CRUK Cambridge Institute.



Comments | 0
This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More