High-intensity focused ultrasound-induced thermal tissue ablation (HIFU thermal ablation)

High-intensity focused ultrasound-induced thermal tissue ablation is a noninvasive therapeutic technique that uses highly focused sound waves to raise the temperature of targeted tissues above 55–60°C, resulting in rapid cell death through coagulative necrosis. The energy is delivered precisely using specialized transducers and can be guided by real-time imaging modalities such as MRI or ultrasound. This approach allows for localized destruction of pathological tissues—such as tumors—while sparing surrounding healthy structures. The main mechanism of action is thermal, although mechanical effects like cavitation may also contribute under certain conditions. HIFU has been clinically applied in treating various solid tumors, uterine fibroids, neurological disorders like essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease, and pain from bone metastases. It does not involve traditional drug-target interactions but instead relies on physical principles for its therapeutic effect[1][2][4][6]. Note: This entry describes a therapeutic modality rather than a discrete molecular target such as an enzyme or receptor; therefore, it should not be classified as a conventional "target" in pharmacology or molecular biology databases[2][4].

Other names

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) thermal ablationFocused ultrasound thermal ablationUltrasound-induced tissue ablation (thermal)MR-guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS, when MRI is used for guidance)