Needs Assessment

This webinar addresses key professional gaps in the emerging field of focused ultrasound (FUS) immuno-oncology, including the lack of standardized treatment protocols, limited mechanistic understanding, and the need for integration with biomarker strategies. Despite promising preclinical data, variability in FUS parameters and immunotherapy combinations bears direct consequence on reproducibility and rapidity of clinical translation. Furthermore, the immunological mechanisms by which FUS potentiates therapies such as checkpoint inhibitors, CAR T cells, and vaccine adjuvants remain incompletely defined.

Additional education is needed on best practices for performing longitudinal immune correlative studies that can inform treatment planning and risk stratification. Addressing these needs will accelerate clinical translation and enable the development of standardized, reproducible approaches to using FUS as a tool for precision cancer immunotherapy.

Reference(s):

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39971377/

https://acousticstoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/How-Sound-Fall2024.pdf

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38007236/

After watching this activity, participants should be able to:

• Describe the immunological mechanisms by which focused ultrasound (FUS) can enhance the efficacy of cancer immunotherapies.
• Differentiate between foundational and advanced ultrasound competencies expected of sonographers, OB/GYN residents, and MFM fellows.
• Apply principles of image-guided FUS in the design of preclinical or clinical protocols that incorporate multimodal imaging and tissue/blood sampling for treatment monitoring and adaptation.
• Evaluate current clinical trials and translational pathways for integrating FUS with immuno-oncology approaches in solid tumors, particularly breast and brain cancers.

Faculty: Natasha D. Sheybani, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering (BME) and Research Director of the Focused Ultrasound (FUS) Cancer Immunotherapy Center at UVA.

Q&A Panelists: Pengfei Song, Ph.D. and Alycen Wiacek, Ph.D.

Target Audience:
This presentation is designed to meet the needs of professionals in medical specialties including medical oncology, radiation oncology, surgical oncology, radiology, neuro-oncology, neurosurgery, immunology, and translational research, particularly those engaged in cancer immunotherapy, novel drug delivery, and theranostic approaches.

Available Credit: 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™/1 ARRT Category A credit(s). Upon completion of the learning activity, you will have 2 attempts to successfully pass the post-test with a score of at least 80% and claim your certificate.

AIUM Member: $0
Nonmember: $19

Join the AIUM today to access and earn for free.

Your fee includes access to the content and the opportunity to submit the CME test. 

As of January 1, 2025, you will have 2 attempts to successfully pass the post-test with a score of at least 80% and claim your certificate.

AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME). The AIUM is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The AIUM designates this internet enduring material for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

AIUM Ultrasound Practice Accreditation

This activity can be used to meet part of relevant AIUM Training Guidelines and/or maintenance credits for accreditation purposes. Learn more about AIUM Ultrasound Practice Accreditation here.

ARRT Category A Credit 

The AIUM is a Recognized Continuing Education Evaluation Mechanism (RCEEM) for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). The AIUM is the owner and sponsor of this activity. This activity is approved by the AIUM for 1 ARRT Category A credit. This CE activity may be available in multiple formats or from different CE sponsors. ARRT does not allow CE activities (e.g., Internet courses, home study programs, directed readings, live lectures) to be repeated for CE credit in the same CE biennium.

Additional Credit Information

• American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). The ARDMS accepts AMA PRA Category 1 CME Credit(s)™.

Documenting CME Credits

All participants who pass the post-test with a score of at least 80% will have access to claim a CME certificate. The AIUM will submit credits to the ARDMS for active AIUM membership accounts with a valid ARDMS ID number. It is the participant’s responsibility to ensure credit accuracy and adherence to any audit requests.

Disclosure Policy:

In accordance with the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education, all individuals in control of content must disclose any financial relationship(s) or other relationship(s) held within the past 24 months. The AIUM implements a mechanism to identify and mitigate all conflicts of interest prior to delivering the educational activity to learners.

Disclosures for this activity:

Natasha D. Sheybani, Ph.D., faculty, has no financial relationships with an ineligible company to disclose.

Pengfei Song, Ph.D., panelist - Patent: Alpinion Medical Systems, GE Healthcare, Mindray, Samsung

Alycen Wiacek, Ph.D., panelist - Patent: CohereNet.

Charlotte Henningsen, MS, RT(R), clinical reviewer, has no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

AIUM education planners and staff: Nicole Fortune and Ashley McDermott, have no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

There is no commercial support funding for this activity.