Morphological Analysis of US Treated PANC-1 Spheroids

• Published in: Applied sciences Vol. 15; no. 4; p. 1707
• Main Authors: Ricci, Martina, Dimitri, Mattia, Serio, Martina, Corvi, Andrea
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01.02.2025
• Subjects: Algorithms; Cancer; Cavitation; Computer vision; frequency induced mortality; Health aspects; LICU; Medical imaging equipment; Microscopy; Morphology; Mortality; Pancreatic cancer; Python; Spheroids; spheroids disgregation; Ultrasonic imaging; United States; US cancer therapy; volume evaluation; United States
• ISSN: 2076-3417; 2076-3417
• DOI: 10.3390/app15041707

This study investigates the impact of low-intensity continuous ultrasound (LICU) on pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PANC-1) spheroids, emphasizing morphological and volumetric transformations. PANC-1 spheroids were cultured and treated with LICU across frequencies from 1 to 5 MHz. Cell viability and mortality were analyzed through Calcein AM/PI staining, while volumetric and morphological changes were quantified across frequencies from 2 to 4 MHz using advanced imaging techniques and computational tools, including a custom Python OpenCv Library, AnaSP 3.0, a MATLAB based open source tool. Notably, a frequency of 3.5 MHz yielded optimal outcomes, also achieving a reduction in spheroid volume and mortality while minimizing disgregation, a factor linked to metastasis risk. These findings underscore LICU’s potential as an effective therapeutic strategy, balancing tumor reduction with the preservation of structural cohesion. The study establishes a methodological framework for optimizing LICU parameters, presenting a less invasive avenue for improving therapeutic outcomes in pancreatic cancer treatment.