Histotripsy: Changing How We Treat Cancer - the goop podcast Recap

Podcast: the goop podcast

Published: 2026-02-17

Duration: 3138

Guests: Mike Blue

What Happened

Histotripsy is a non-invasive ultrasound technology that liquefies cancerous tumors, offering a potential shift in how cancer is treated. Mike Blue, CEO of HistoSonics, explains that this technique avoids surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, and has been FDA approved for liver tumors. Histotripsy leverages therapeutic-focused ultrasound to break down tissue and cells at a sub-cellular level, providing symptomatic relief and reducing pain.

Currently, histotripsy is used to treat liver cancer, with plans to expand to kidney and pancreatic tumors. It has been particularly beneficial for patients with metastatic liver cancer originating from other cancers such as breast cancer. The FDA regards histotripsy as a tool, which simplifies its regulatory process compared to pharmaceuticals, allowing for quicker clearance.

Patients experience minimal side effects, often only minor discomfort akin to muscle soreness. Histotripsy can be used repeatedly and in conjunction with systemic therapies, without disrupting ongoing treatments. It's also seen as a potential frontline therapy for early-stage cancer detection and treatment of indeterminate nodules.

There have been successful off-label uses of histotripsy, such as treating a sarcoma in a patient's thigh, which allowed her to resume running. The technology not only destroys tumors but also triggers an immune response, potentially affecting both treated and untreated tumors. In one case, a patient with terminal liver cancer had all tumors necrosed after treatment with histotripsy.

Mike Blue notes that the company has raised nearly $500 million in capital, enabling further trials and research. There is significant demand for the technology, with orders from notable institutions like the Cleveland Clinic and international interest. HistoSonics plans to explore its use in treating benign conditions, such as fibroids, with clinical trials aimed at women's health applications.

The treatment aims to reduce the need for invasive surgeries and work synergistically with other therapies. Histotripsy offers immediate pain relief, unlike radiation, which can have delayed effects. Patients can find treatment centers through the company's website.

Key Insights

• Histotripsy is FDA approved for liver tumors and is expanding trials to include kidney and pancreatic tumors. It offers a non-invasive alternative to traditional cancer treatments.
• Histotripsy uses therapeutic-focused ultrasound to break down tumors at a sub-cellular level, providing pain relief and reducing the need for surgery or toxic treatments like chemotherapy.
• The technology has shown potential in off-label uses, such as treating a sarcoma in a thigh, and has induced immune responses that affect untreated tumors as well.
• HistoSonics has raised nearly $500 million to support trials and research, with significant demand from institutions like the Cleveland Clinic and interest from international markets.