Combination Treatment of Docetaxel Liposomes and Sonodynamic Therapy With Verteporfin Liposomes in Patients With Cancer: A Report of Three Cases.

Despite advances in medical technology, cancer treatment remains challenging. Our research focused on combining microtubule polymerization inhibitors with sonodynamic therapy (SDT) as a promising approach for cancer. SDT is a minimally invasive modality that uses tumor-selective sonosensitizers to induce the death of malignant and tumor-associated cells within the tumor microenvironment through targeted ultrasound irradiation. In this study, verteporfin was selected because of its dual properties of high ultrasound sensitivity and the ability to inhibit the yes-associated protein. Liposome-encapsulated docetaxel and verteporfin were employed to enhance tumor accumulation. This intervention demonstrated remarkable antitumor efficacy in three patients with ovarian metastases from gastric cancer, advanced gastric cancer, and lung metastases from breast cancer, respectively, without notable adverse events. Although the patients with ovarian and lung metastases had experienced progressive disease despite prior chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment, our intervention successfully inhibited tumor progression. Furthermore, although conventional treatment options were considered unsuitable because of advanced age in the patient with gastric cancer, this intervention demonstrated a favorable safety profile and potential therapeutic benefit. To our knowledge, this study represents the first clinical report demonstrating the potential antitumor efficacy and safety of the combination of verteporfin liposomes, liposomal docetaxel, and SDT.