Sound waves plus standard treatment tested for safety in glioblastoma
Original title: Safety and Efficacy of Sonodynamic Therapy Combined with Stupp Regimen in Controlling Postoperative Residual Lesions of Glioblastoma: A Prospective Pilot Phase I Study.
How far along is this research?
- Lab cells
- Animals
- Review
- Tested in people
This was tested in people. That is the most reliable kind of research we share.
This was a first, small test in people to check safety.
The short version
A small early study found that adding a sound wave treatment to standard care for glioblastoma: A glioma that is given grade 4, the highest grade. It grows fast. Treatment usually starts soon after it is found. It often means surgery, then radiation and chemotherapy. See the glossary seemed safe.
What was studied. Researchers treated 18 people who were newly diagnosed with glioblastoma: A glioma that is given grade 4, the highest grade. It grows fast. Treatment usually starts soon after it is found. It often means surgery, then radiation and chemotherapy. See the glossary. Tumor was still left after surgery in all of them. They got standard radiation and chemotherapy, plus a treatment that uses a drug and gentle sound waves aimed through the skull.
What they found. No one died from the treatment, and there were no severe side effects. Most side effects were mild and went away, like 1 skin reaction to light and 2 cases of brain swelling that were treated. The tumor shrank in 12 people and stayed the same in 6, and 88.9% were still alive at 12 months.
What this means, and what it doesn't
What it could mean: This sound wave treatment may be safe to add to standard care for glioblastoma: A glioma that is given grade 4, the highest grade. It grows fast. Treatment usually starts soon after it is found. It often means surgery, then radiation and chemotherapy. See the glossary. The early results were hopeful enough that the researchers want larger studies.
What it doesn't mean: This was a very small, early study meant mostly to check safety. There was no separate group that got only standard care, so we can't tell yet if the sound waves helped. It is not ready for everyday care, and it is not a cure.
Source: PubMed, September 18, 2026 · Read the original
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