The Effect of Low-Intensity ultrasound and Met Signaling on Cancer Cell Motility for Improved Diagnosis and Treatment

According to the Bilayer Sonophore model (BLS), stimulation of the cell membrane is the origin of non-cavitational ultrasound-induced bioeffects in living cells. MET signaling has been postulated as part of the process of metastatic tumor formation and plays a significant role in the biology and pathogenesis of a wide variety of cancer diseases.

The aim of this work is to study the effect of low-intensity ultrasound on the morphology and kinetics of MET-activated cells. We present measurements of representative morphokinetic parameters for MET-activated and non-activated cells in an acoustic field using time-lapse microscopy and image analysis techniques.

The in vitro study showed that low-intensity ultrasound modulates MET activated cell morphology and motility. In addition, we present observations, from in vitro and in vivo studies, for induced cell membrane alterations and motion that might serve as a potential target for improved cancer diagnosis and therapy techniques.