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ABSTRACT
Focused ultrasound (FUS) and nanomedicine offer promising opportunities to improve cancer treatment through targeted drug delivery, localized tumor ablation, and modulation of antitumor immunity. However, translating these technologies into clinical practice remains challenging, partly because conventional preclinical models do not fully capture the biological complexity of naturally occurring cancers. Our research integrates focused ultrasound, nanomedicine, and comparative oncology within a One-Medicine framework to accelerate therapeutic development for both human and veterinary patients. We are investigating multiple ultrasound modalities, including hyperthermia, thermal ablation, and histotripsy, and their potential to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapy, radiation, and immunomodulatory nanomedicines. These approaches are designed not only to improve local tumor control but also to stimulate systemic antitumor immune responses and address metastatic disease. Building on mechanistic studies in preclinical models, we are translating these technologies into clinical trials involving companion animals with naturally occurring cancers through the Veterinary Research and Oncology Clinic (VROC) at UT Southwestern. This presentation will highlight our progress in developing ultrasound-based combination therapies, the challenges of clinical translation, and the opportunities offered by comparative oncology to accelerate therapeutic innovations across species.

BIO
Ashish Ranjan is an Endowed Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology. He also serves as Vice Chair for Comparative Oncology and Research Innovation and Director of the Veterinary Research and Oncology Clinic. He earned his B.V.Sc. degree (DVM equivalent) from Madras Veterinary College, in Chennai, India, followed by a Ph.D. in biomedical and veterinary sciences from Virginia Tech. Ranjan was then a visiting fellow at the Center for Interventional Oncology, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Ranjan's research interests are in the application of device-directed nanoparticles for solid tumor chemo-immunotherapy. His lab is actively engaged in preclinical and bench-to-bedside veterinary clinical trials and has received funding from several federal, state, and private sources. Ranjan has received several distinguished awards, including the NIH Merit Award. He also serves on the Scientific Advisory Board of Focused Ultrasound Foundation, UK's Humanimal Trust, and NIH panels.

Faculty host: Yue Chen