CU Medicine Introduces Asia's First Histotripsy 2.0 System for Liver Tumour Treatment

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)’s Faculty of Medicine (CU Medicine) has been gifted Asia’s first Histotripsy 2.0 system by the Li Ka Shing Foundation, with the system expected to be operational by early 2025. This state-of-the-art technology is designed to enhance the precision of focal therapy for liver tumours through advanced hardware and software capabilities, supporting continuous system and software upgrades.

Histotripsy 2.0's introduction is a significant advancement in medical technology, offering more comprehensive and specific data for treatment. The Li Ka Shing Foundation will sponsor 10 patients to receive this novel treatment, with CU Medicine and the Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH) Charitable Foundation supporting an additional 20 patients. This initiative will also lead clinical trials involving 30 liver cancer patients, aiming to expand the application of Histotripsy beyond liver tumours to other forms of cancer.

Professor Dennis Lo, Li Ka Shing Professor of Medicine and Vice-Chancellor Designate of CUHK, expressed gratitude towards Mr Li Ka-shing and the Foundation for their continuous support. Similarly, Professor Anthony Chan and Professor Philip Chiu Wai-yan highlighted the importance of this donation in advancing CUHK's clinical research capabilities and providing patients with access to cutting-edge medical technology.

Histotripsy 2.0 utilizes high-intensity ultrasound waves to target and liquefy tumour cells, offering a non-invasive, safe, and effective treatment option. The technology has already shown promising results in treating liver cancer, with plans to explore its application in treating other common cancers in Hong Kong, such as breast cancer. This innovative approach represents a new horizon in cancer treatment, leveraging breakthrough technology and multi-disciplinary efforts to improve patient outcomes.