gemcitabine + sulphur hexafluoride

This combination therapy involves the intravenous administration of the chemotherapy drug gemcitabine followed by the ultrasound contrast agent SonoVue (sulphur hexafluoride microbubbles), which are then activated by targeted ultrasound (sonoporation). This technique aims to increase the permeability of the tumor cell membranes and the vascular endothelium, thereby enhancing the localized delivery and uptake of gemcitabine into the pancreatic adenocarcinoma tissue. Gemcitabine itself is a nucleoside analog that inhibits DNA synthesis by replacing cytidine during DNA replication and inhibiting ribonucleotide reductase. The trial was led by Haukeland University Hospital to treat inoperable or metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Brand names

GemzarSonoVue

Other names

gemcitabine + SonoVuesonoporation-enhanced gemcitabine