Focussed ultrasound is an emerging non-invasive cancer treatment that directs high-frequency and high-intensity sound waves for precise therapy. At the focal point, waves superpose and can thermally ablate and/or cause acoustic cavitation. However, targeted effects may be unpredictable. Preclinical models are needed to verify and standardise protocols before translation to the bedside. To date, tissue phantoms representing the human body for ex vivo calibration have not accurately characterised the tumour environment, ignoring both tissue and vascular interfaces. Here, we set out to create a more representative tumour phantom. It will incorporate 3D-printed moulds and biomaterials, including agar and silicone, to introduce heterogeneity. It will establish the effects of differing boundaries between tissues and the consequences of perfusion on the efficacy of focussed ultrasound therapy. We anticipate that our phantom model will ultimately improve the feasibility of focussed ultrasound therapy as a non-surgical intervention for cancer therapy. The outcome of this research is expected to provide a more accurate preclinical model for focussed ultrasound therapy that will facilitate future testing for the clinical setting. It stands as a starting point for more sophisticated computational phantoms that may interpret diagnostic ultrasound imaging to maximise focussed ultrasound therapy. For example, the varying anatomy of an individual may predispose them to differential cooling and multi-bubble effects that diminish the accuracy and efficacy of focussed ultrasound therapy. This model could facilitate the interpretation and translation of these parameters from the laboratory to the clinic, improving non-invasive cancer treatment options and patient outcomes.
