MVT Nanobubbles Enable Non-Thermal Focused Ultrasound Ablation in Preclinical Brain Tumor Study
University of Utah researchers use MVT-101 phase-shift nanobubbles with focused ultrasound and MRI to confirm treatment location
Tucson, AZ, September 14, 2026 --(PR.com)-- Microvascular Therapeutics, Inc. (MVT), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing ultrasound-based diagnostic and therapeutic technologies, today announced publication of a University of Utah study evaluating MVT-101 phase-shift nanobubbles with focused ultrasound for non-thermal brain tissue ablation. The study, “Histology-Validated Quantitative MRI Assessment of Non-Thermal Focused Ultrasound Ablation,” was published in Scientific Reports on July 24, 2026. Researchers from the University of Utah used MVT-101 with transcranial focused ultrasound to create highly localized mechanical tissue effects without relying on heat. The work also evaluated MRI methods for identifying where treatment occurred.
Potential Advantages of the MVT Nanobubble Approach
The technology could offer several potential advantages over conventional thermal focused ultrasound:
· Lower ultrasound energy and less heating: which may reduce limitations associated with heating of the skull.
· Small nanobubble size: which may improve access to tumor blood vessels and surrounding tumor tissue.
· Precise, image-guided treatment: potentially allowing physicians to target difficult-to-reach tumors while limiting effects on surrounding healthy tissue.
“Phase-shift nanobubbles could allow focused ultrasound to destroy targeted tissue using less energy and less heating than conventional thermal ablation,” said Henrik Odéen, Ph.D., senior author of the study at the University of Utah. “This study also shows that MRI can help us determine where treatment occurred, an important step toward translating this approach to patients.”
MRI Confirms Treatment Location
In rats, MRI accurately identified the area of brain tissue treated with MVT-101 and focused ultrasound. Combining several MRI scans with machine-learning analysis improved detection by approximately 45% compared with a single MRI scan. The approach also performed well in tumor-bearing animals, supporting its potential use in MRI-guided focused-ultrasound treatment of brain tumors. “This approach could provide a new way to destroy tumors without surgery or the heat required for conventional focused ultrasound,” said Emmanuelle J. Meuillet, Ph.D., Chief Operating and Scientific Officer of Microvascular Therapeutics. “Equally important, MRI may allow physicians to see where treatment occurred, helping make the therapy more precise.”
A Potential New Approach to Difficult-to-Treat Brain Tumors
Conventional focused ultrasound destroys tissue with heat, which can limit treatment through the skull and restrict the size and location of tumors that can be treated.
MVT's NanoBlate™ platform instead uses intravenously administered phase-shift nanobubbles that are activated only where focused ultrasound is applied. The resulting mechanical effects may provide a non-invasive way to target tumor tissue while reducing heating of surrounding structures.
“This represents an important step toward our vision for NanoBlate,” said Meuillet. “Our goal is an intravenously administered nanobubble that reaches a tumor and is activated only where focused ultrasound is applied.”
About the Study
Researchers tested MVT-101 with focused ultrasound in animal models and used MRI to assess the treated areas. The study showed that MRI could help identify and monitor treatment effects, supporting the potential development of MRI-guided focused-ultrasound therapy for brain tumors. The research was supported by Huntsman Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society, the University of Utah, and the National Institutes of Health.
About Microvascular Therapeutics
Microvascular Therapeutics, Inc. is developing a platform of next-generation ultrasound contrast and therapeutic agents based on proprietary microbubble and nanobubble technologies.
· CardiSon™, a next-generation ultrasound enhancing agent;
· Solv™, an ultrasound-activated phase-shift nanobubble therapy being developed for microvascular obstruction following myocardial infarction; and
· NanoBlate™, a nanobubble-enabled focused-ultrasound platform for non-invasive tumor ablation.
Investigational Product Disclaimer
MVT-101 and NanoBlate™ are investigational products and have not been approved or cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or any other regulatory authority. Their safety and effectiveness in humans have not been established. Results described in this release are from preclinical studies and may not be predictive of results in human clinical trials.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the development and potential applications of MVT's phase-shift nanobubble technology, MVT-101 and NanoBlate™, including their potential use for focused-ultrasound tumor ablation and potential advantages relative to existing therapeutic approaches. These statements are based on current expectations and preclinical findings and are subject to risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that these technologies will demonstrate safety or efficacy in humans, successfully complete clinical development, or receive regulatory approval.
Potential Advantages of the MVT Nanobubble Approach
The technology could offer several potential advantages over conventional thermal focused ultrasound:
· Lower ultrasound energy and less heating: which may reduce limitations associated with heating of the skull.
· Small nanobubble size: which may improve access to tumor blood vessels and surrounding tumor tissue.
· Precise, image-guided treatment: potentially allowing physicians to target difficult-to-reach tumors while limiting effects on surrounding healthy tissue.
“Phase-shift nanobubbles could allow focused ultrasound to destroy targeted tissue using less energy and less heating than conventional thermal ablation,” said Henrik Odéen, Ph.D., senior author of the study at the University of Utah. “This study also shows that MRI can help us determine where treatment occurred, an important step toward translating this approach to patients.”
MRI Confirms Treatment Location
In rats, MRI accurately identified the area of brain tissue treated with MVT-101 and focused ultrasound. Combining several MRI scans with machine-learning analysis improved detection by approximately 45% compared with a single MRI scan. The approach also performed well in tumor-bearing animals, supporting its potential use in MRI-guided focused-ultrasound treatment of brain tumors. “This approach could provide a new way to destroy tumors without surgery or the heat required for conventional focused ultrasound,” said Emmanuelle J. Meuillet, Ph.D., Chief Operating and Scientific Officer of Microvascular Therapeutics. “Equally important, MRI may allow physicians to see where treatment occurred, helping make the therapy more precise.”
A Potential New Approach to Difficult-to-Treat Brain Tumors
Conventional focused ultrasound destroys tissue with heat, which can limit treatment through the skull and restrict the size and location of tumors that can be treated.
MVT's NanoBlate™ platform instead uses intravenously administered phase-shift nanobubbles that are activated only where focused ultrasound is applied. The resulting mechanical effects may provide a non-invasive way to target tumor tissue while reducing heating of surrounding structures.
“This represents an important step toward our vision for NanoBlate,” said Meuillet. “Our goal is an intravenously administered nanobubble that reaches a tumor and is activated only where focused ultrasound is applied.”
About the Study
Researchers tested MVT-101 with focused ultrasound in animal models and used MRI to assess the treated areas. The study showed that MRI could help identify and monitor treatment effects, supporting the potential development of MRI-guided focused-ultrasound therapy for brain tumors. The research was supported by Huntsman Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society, the University of Utah, and the National Institutes of Health.
About Microvascular Therapeutics
Microvascular Therapeutics, Inc. is developing a platform of next-generation ultrasound contrast and therapeutic agents based on proprietary microbubble and nanobubble technologies.
· CardiSon™, a next-generation ultrasound enhancing agent;
· Solv™, an ultrasound-activated phase-shift nanobubble therapy being developed for microvascular obstruction following myocardial infarction; and
· NanoBlate™, a nanobubble-enabled focused-ultrasound platform for non-invasive tumor ablation.
Investigational Product Disclaimer
MVT-101 and NanoBlate™ are investigational products and have not been approved or cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or any other regulatory authority. Their safety and effectiveness in humans have not been established. Results described in this release are from preclinical studies and may not be predictive of results in human clinical trials.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the development and potential applications of MVT's phase-shift nanobubble technology, MVT-101 and NanoBlate™, including their potential use for focused-ultrasound tumor ablation and potential advantages relative to existing therapeutic approaches. These statements are based on current expectations and preclinical findings and are subject to risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that these technologies will demonstrate safety or efficacy in humans, successfully complete clinical development, or receive regulatory approval.
Contact
Microvascular Therapeutics
Emmanuelle Meuillet
520-730-3264
mvtpharma.com
Emmanuelle Meuillet
520-730-3264
mvtpharma.com
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