November 06, 2025

Ep41: Advancing Cancer Research with Histotripsy: Insights from a Canine Osteosarcoma Trial

18 minutes

In this episode of Curing with Sound, we explore how focused ultrasound is revolutionizing the field of veterinary medicine. Joanne Tuohy, DVM, PhD, Associate Professor of Surgical Oncology at Virginia Tech’s Animal Cancer Care and Research Center, investigates how histotripsy—a non-thermal focused ultrasound technology—could improve cancer outcomes for veterinary patients while advancing treatments that may benefit both animals and humans. She discusses her clinical trial on osteosarcoma, an aggressive bone cancer that affects dogs and humans in remarkably similar ways.

We also talk with Tasha Hoover, whose two Dobermans participated in Dr. Tuohy’s groundbreaking clinical trials. Both dogs were diagnosed with osteosarcoma at different stages of the research, allowing Tasha to witness firsthand how early trial results shaped the development of treatment protocols. Her story demonstrates the hope that innovative treatments can offer to pet owners and humans facing devastating diagnoses.

Discussion highlights:

Noninvasive Oncology Innovation: Unlike traditional ablation technologies that use heat, histotripsy employs mechanical stress and pressure to destroy cancer cells, offering a potentially less invasive alternative to amputation while stimulating the immune system to fight remaining cancer cells.

One Health Initiative: Dr. Tuohy's histotripsy research for veterinary osteosarcoma could have translational applications for human bone cancer patients, demonstrating how animals and humans can benefit from shared treatment advances under the One Health approach.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

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