Curing with Sound

Latest Episodes:

Ep51: From Research to Reality: Focused Ultrasound for Brain Tumors and Neurodegenerative Diseases Apr 21, 2026

Show notes

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a vital protective mechanism that shields the brain from harmful substances, but it also poses a significant challenge in treating neurological diseases. For patients with aggressive brain tumors or neurodegenerative conditions, the BBB can prevent life-saving therapies and chemotherapeutic agents from reaching their targets, leaving limited treatment options.

In this episode of Curing with Sound, we speak with Ying Meng, MD, PhD, a neurosurgeon and scientist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and the University of Toronto. Dr. Meng is at the forefront of advancing noninvasive brain therapies, leading efforts to translate preclinical focused ultrasound research into clinical application. She shares insights from groundbreaking clinical trials using focused ultrasound to enable targeted drug delivery across the BBB for conditions such as pediatric gliomas and breast cancer metastases, as well as insights on liquid biopsy biomarkers.

Discussion highlights:

The Future of Accessible Treatment: Dr. Meng’s perspective on the next decade of innovation, including the potential shift of focused ultrasound procedures from specialized MRI environments to more accessible, bedside settings within standard infusion centers—broadening patient access and improving treatment tolerability.
Center of Excellence (COE): Established as a COE in 2016, the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre is conducting research for focused ultrasound in neurology, neurosurgery, urology, orthopedics, gynecology, radiation oncology, and biomedical engineering. The COE program recognizes luminary sites for their excellence in translational and clinical research, training, and patient care.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

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QUESTIONS?
Email podcast@fusfoundation.org if you have a question or comment about the show, or if you would you like to connect about future guest appearances.

Email info@fusfoundation.org if you have questions about focused ultrasound or the Foundation.

FUSF SOCIAL MEDIA

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Ep50: Living a Pain-Free Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta and the Role of Focused Ultrasound with Dr. Lauren Hadley Apr 07, 2026

Show notes

Chronic pain affects one in five adults, yet it remains a deeply personal and often misunderstood experience. For many, the search for relief becomes a cycle of treatments that fail to deliver lasting results, sometimes leading to long-term reliance on medications that can significantly impact quality of life.

In this special episode of Curing with Sound, we examine the future of pain management from three unique perspectives. We begin with renowned neurosurgeon and CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Sanjay Gupta, MD, who shares insights from his latest book, It Doesn’t Have to Hurt: Your Smart Guide to a Pain-Free Life. Dr. Gupta explores how pain is not merely a physical signal, but a complex experience shaped by the brain and nervous system, one influenced by movement, sleep, stress, and daily interactions.

The episode also features Lauren Hadley, MD, MBA, the Foundation’s Associate Director of the Research and Education Team, who discusses the science behind focused ultrasound as a noninvasive alternative to traditional surgery and pharmacologic treatments.

Finally, we hear from Reginald Masters, a patient whose chronic low back pain was successfully treated with focused ultrasound, offering a compelling firsthand account of life before and after treatment.

Discussion highlights:

The Neuroscience of Pain: Dr. Sanjay Gupta examines the subjective nature of pain, drawing on years of clinical experience and reporting to shed light on how pain is understood and managed.
A Noninvasive Revolution: Dr. Lauren Hadley explains how focused ultrasound is transforming pain treatment by targeting the source through approaches such as thermal ablation and neuromodulation.
A Patient’s Journey to Relief: Reginald Masters shares his experience living with debilitating pain for decades and finding rapid relief through a noninvasive focused ultrasound procedure.

All patient stories featured on the Curing with Sound podcast are personal accounts of an individual’s experience with focused ultrasound treatment. Please be aware that each patient’s situation is unique, and outcomes may vary. The information provided in this story should not be considered as medical advice or a guarantee of specific results. It is important to consult with a qualified healthcare provider to discuss your condition and determine the best treatment options for you. The Focused Ultrasound Foundation does not endorse any specific treatment or medical procedure and encourages all patients to seek professional medical guidance tailored to their individual needs.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

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QUESTIONS?
Email podcast@fusfoundation.org if you have a question or comment about the show, or if you would you like to connect about future guest appearances.

Email info@fusfoundation.org if you have questions about focused ultrasound or the Foundation.

FUSF SOCIAL MEDIA

FUSF WEBSITE
https://www.fusfoundation.org

Ep49: Breaking Through Treatment Barriers: Focused Ultrasound for Pancreatic Cancer Mar 24, 2026

Show notes

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most difficult cancers to treat, largely because its dense tumor microenvironment makes it difficult for chemotherapy drugs to reach their target. This often leads to poor patient outcomes and underscores the urgent need for new therapeutic strategies to overcome these barriers.
In this episode of Curing with Sound, Jae Young Lee, MD, PhD, professor and researcher at Seoul National University Hospital, shares his work exploring focused ultrasound as a noninvasive treatment option for pancreatic cancer. He explains how this technology creates subtle mechanical stress within the tumor, helping to open up its structure so chemotherapy can work more effectively. Dr. Lee also shares encouraging results from his Phase II clinical trial and looks ahead to a pivotal Phase III study, offering new hope for improving patient outcomes.
Discussion highlights:

A New Treatment Strategy: Focused ultrasound technology shows promise for addressing the unique challenges of pancreatic cancer, enabling precise tumor targeting while preserving critical surrounding structures.
From Research to Reality: Learn how Seoul National University Hospital, a designated Focused Ultrasound Center of Excellence, is integrating this technology into clinical care while advancing research across oncology, neurosurgery, and pain management.

Seoul National University Hospital Website

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

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QUESTIONS?
Email podcast@fusfoundation.org if you have a question or comment about the show, or if you would you like to connect about future guest appearances.

Email info@fusfoundation.org if you have questions about focused ultrasound or the Foundation.

FUSF SOCIAL MEDIA

FUSF WEBSITE
https://www.fusfoundation.org

Ep48: Finding the Light: A Prostate Cancer Survivor's Experience with Focused Ultrasound Mar 10, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Curing with Sound, we speak with Peter Dolan, a lifelong athlete and prostate cancer survivor who chose focused ultrasound after receiving an unexpected diagnosis despite a reassuring MRI. Peter shares his experience navigating treatment decisions and offers a candid account of the outpatient procedure and recovery process. He describes a swift return to his active lifestyle, free from the side effects he had anticipated.

Facing a prostate cancer diagnosis requires careful decisions about treatment and long-term quality of life. Peter’s story underscores the importance of informed, personalized care and illustrates how focused ultrasound may offer effective treatment with fewer lasting impacts on daily life.
Discussion highlights:

An Unexpected Diagnosis: How a routine PSA test led to a prostate cancer diagnosis and why imaging alone did not tell the whole story.
Choosing a Noninvasive Path: Explore the decision-making process behind selecting focused ultrasound over traditional surgery or radiation, and hear a firsthand account of the simple, outpatient procedure.
Life After Treatment: Discover how focused ultrasound provided a swift return to a vibrant, active life without long-term side effects and inspired Peter’s ongoing patient advocacy.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

----------------------------
QUESTIONS?
Email podcast@fusfoundation.org if you have a question or comment about the show, or if you would you like to connect about future guest appearances.

Email info@fusfoundation.org if you have questions about focused ultrasound or the Foundation.

FUSF SOCIAL MEDIA

FUSF WEBSITE
https://www.fusfoundation.org
SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
https://www.fusfoundation.org/newsletter-signup/
READ THE LATEST NEWSLETTER
https://www.fusfoundation.org/the-foundation/news-media/newsletter/
DOWNLOAD "THE TUMOR" BY JOHN GRISHAM (FREE E-BOOK)
https://www.fusfoundation.org/read-the-tumor-by-john-grisham/

Ep47: From Bench to Kennel: Advancing Veterinary Medicine with Focused Ultrasound Feb 17, 2026

Show notes

For pet owners, a diagnosis such as cancer or chronic disease often brings difficult decisions and limited treatment options, many of which involve invasive procedures. While human medicine has advanced significantly, many of these innovations have been slower to reach veterinary care, underscoring the need for more effective and less invasive approaches to animal health.

In this episode of Curing with Sound, we speak with Philip Bergman, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVIM-Oncology, Veterinary Program Director at the Focused Ultrasound Foundation. Dr. Bergman oversees Foundation-funded preclinical research and the clinical studies that enroll companion animals, helping to accelerate translational progress across species.

The conversation explores emerging applications of focused ultrasound in veterinary medicine, including its potential role in treating osteosarcoma, glioblastoma, feline diabetes, and other complex conditions. Dr. Bergman also discusses the collaborative One Medicine approach and how it is advancing care for both animals and people.

Discussion highlights:

One Medicine Revolution: Companion animals naturally develop many of the same diseases as humans, allowing veterinary research to inform human medicine—and vice versa—through a shared, translational approach.
Breakthroughs in Standard of Care: He shares his vision for a “bench-to-bedside-to-kennel” cycle, in which insights from animal clinical trials accelerate human therapies and human breakthroughs inspire new, noninvasive treatment options for pets.
The Future of Veterinary Technology: Hear about efforts to develop cost-effective, veterinary-specific focused ultrasound systems designed to bring this technology into everyday clinical practice.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

----------------------------
QUESTIONS?
Email podcast@fusfoundation.org if you have a question or comment about the show, or if you would you like to connect about future guest appearances.

Email info@fusfoundation.org if you have questions about focused ultrasound or the Foundation.

FUSF SOCIAL MEDIA

Ep46: Focused Ultrasound and the Future of Cancer Immunotherapy with Natasha Sheybani, PhD Jan 27, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Curing with Sound, we speak with Natasha Sheybani, PhD, assistant professor of biomedical engineering at the University of Virginia (UVA) and research director of the UVA Focused Ultrasound Cancer Immunotherapy Center. Dr. Sheybani shares insights into her groundbreaking work using focused ultrasound–based immunotherapy approaches in patients with metastatic breast cancer and other solid tumors.

She explains how precisely delivered sound waves can do more than destroy tumors—helping to reshape the tumor microenvironment, overcome immune evasion, and activate the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. The conversation also explores Dr. Sheybani’s strong commitment to mentorship and interdisciplinary training, as well as her efforts to integrate patient advocates directly into the research process.

Discussion Highlights:

Sheybani Lab Research: The lab explores how focused ultrasound can help activate the immune system and improve the delivery of immunotherapy drugs to solid tumors, including brain cancers such as glioblastoma and metastatic breast cancer.
Era of Hope Scholar Award: Learn about the prestigious $5.5 million Department of Defense grant awarded to Dr. Sheybani—the first ever at UVA—to accelerate the development of focused ultrasound technologies that improve the safety, effectiveness, and precision of immunotherapy for patients with breast cancer.
Patient-Centered Science: Hear how Dr. Sheybani is redefining the research process by integrating breast cancer survivors directly into her grant writing and experimental design, fostering scientific innovation that is deeply informed by real-world patient experience.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

----------------------------
QUESTIONS?
Email podcast@fusfoundation.org if you have a question or comment about the show, or if you would you like to connect about future guest appearances.

Email info@fusfoundation.org if you have questions about focused ultrasound or the Foundation.

FUSF SOCIAL MEDIA

Ep45: Neuromodulation for Treatment-Resistant Depression with Jean-François Aubry, PhD Jan 13, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Curing with Sound, we speak with Dr. Jean-François Aubry, Director of Research at France's National Center for Scientific Research and a leading expert in therapeutic ultrasound with over two decades of experience in the field. Dr. Aubry discusses transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS), an emerging neuromodulation approach that enables precise targeting of deep brain structures without surgery, opening new avenues for treating some of the most challenging neurological and psychiatric disorders.

He also shares compelling findings from his recent clinical trial evaluating the safety of TUS for drug-resistant depression, in which 80% of patients responded to the treatment, highlighting the potential of ultrasound neuromodulation as a noninvasive therapeutic approach.

Discussion highlights:

Focused Ultrasound Center of Excellence: Dr. Aubry is the Scientific Director of the Focused Ultrasound Center of Excellence at Physics for Medicine Paris. The laboratory’s mission is to invent innovative technologies for medical imaging and therapy, providing patients and clinicians with ultrasound-based therapies as a noninvasive alternative to surgical procedures.
Depression Treatment Breakthrough: Dr. Aubry is a co-founder of Sonomind, a company dedicated to tackling drug-resistant depression and other neuropsychiatric disorders. The company’s personalized transcranial neuromodulation system enables noninvasive targeting of deep brain regions with unprecedented precision.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

----------------------------
QUESTIONS?
Email podcast@fusfoundation.org if you have a question or comment about the show, or if you would you like to connect about future guest appearances.

Email info@fusfoundation.org if you have questions about focused ultrasound or the Foundation.

FUSF SOCIAL MEDIA

Ep44: Expanding Focused Ultrasound Across Europe with Pascale Broks Dec 16, 2025

Show notes

Launched in 2024, the European Union Focused Ultrasound Foundation (EUFUSF) is the newest sister organization of the Focused Ultrasound Foundation, established to build and strengthen partnerships that expand the reach and impact of focused ultrasound across Europe.

In this episode of Curing with Sound, we speak with Pascale Broks, the Foundation’s Development Director for Europe, who is spearheading the expansion of this transformative technology across the European Union. With over 25 years of experience in development and relationship management, Pascale brings a global perspective and deep passion for connecting people with purpose, driving innovation, and making focused ultrasound accessible to patients from Finland to Greece.

Discussion highlights:

European Foundation Launch and Strategy: Discover the mission and vision of the newly established EUFUSF, including its distinctive approach to donor engagement, its patient-centered guiding principle, and its goal of making focused ultrasound widely recognized and accessible across Europe.

EU FUSF Website

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

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QUESTIONS?
Email podcast@fusfoundation.org if you have a question or comment about the show, or if you would you like to connect about future guest appearances.

Email info@fusfoundation.org if you have questions about focused ultrasound or the Foundation.

FUSF SOCIAL MEDIA

Ep43: Focused Ultrasound Breakthrough for Brain Cancer: A Conversation with Graeme Woodworth, MD Dec 02, 2025

Show notes

The blood-brain barrier (BBB), while essential for protecting the brain from toxins, has long been one of the greatest obstacles in treating brain diseases, particularly aggressive cancers like glioblastoma. Most chemotherapy drugs simply cannot reach the brain in effective concentrations, leaving patients with limited treatment options and poor outcomes.

In this episode of Curing with Sound, we speak with Graeme Woodworth, MD, Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, whose work is transforming the landscape of brain tumor treatment through the use of focused ultrasound–mediated BBB opening. Dr. Woodworth discusses the role of microbubbles, his efforts to develop a real-time monitoring and dosing strategy for BBB opening, and the exciting results from his multicenter glioblastoma clinical trial.

Discussion highlights:

Glioblastoma Clinical Trial: Results published in Lancet Oncology report, for the first time, a possible survival benefit among newly diagnosed glioblastoma (GBM) patients treated with focused ultrasound + temozolomide (or TMZ, a chemotherapy drug). Researchers used focused ultrasound to noninvasively open the BBB in GBM patients before administering TMZ. When compared with a matched control group, a 40% increase in overall survival was observed.
Published Findings for Measuring and Predicting BBB Opening: Researchers established a real-time, ultrasound-based “dose” measurement—using acoustic emissions from microbubble oscillations—to accurately predict when focused ultrasound will open the blood-brain barrier in glioblastoma patients. They discovered a non-linear dose–response range where blood-brain barrier opening is maximized, enabling safer, more precise, and more effective treatment monitoring.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

----------------------------
QUESTIONS?
Email podcast@fusfoundation.org if you have a question or comment about the show, or if you would you like to connect about future guest appearances.

Email info@fusfoundation.org if you have questions about focused ultrasound or the Foundation.

FUSF SOCIAL MEDIA

Ep42: Focused Ultrasound for Women’s Health: One Patient’s Adenomyosis Journey Nov 18, 2025

Show notes

Adenomyosis is a condition in which the uterine lining grows into the muscular wall of the uterus, often causing heavy menstrual bleeding, severe cramping, and chronic pelvic pain. It is estimated to affect 25–60% of women worldwide. Despite its prevalence, treatment options in North America remain extremely limited. Many patients are forced to choose between long-term opioid pain management or a hysterectomy, options that can significantly impact quality of life.
In this episode of Curing with Sound, we speak with Dr. Vanda Corbett, a healthcare practitioner who endured decades of debilitating adenomyosis-related pain before discovering focused ultrasound. She first learned about this noninvasive treatment after listening to an episode of the Not Your Mother’s Menopause podcast featuring Suzanne LeBlang, MD, the Foundation’s Director of Clinical Relationships.

Determined to find an alternative to surgery or opioids, Dr. Corbett made the life-changing decision to travel from Dubai to Chongqing Haifu Hospital in China for a focused ultrasound procedure. Her transformative experience has motivated her to share her story, so more women can learn about this revolutionary noninvasive treatment option.

Discussion highlights:

Medical Travel Experience: Follow Dr. Corbett's journey from Dubai to Chongqing, including the preparation process, travel logistics, and the patient-centered care she received at a specialized focused ultrasound hospital.
Immediate Treatment Results and Advocacy Mission: Discover how Dr. Corbett experienced complete pain relief within hours of her procedure, shifting from decades of debilitating symptoms to a return to normal daily life. Learn about her mission to raise awareness of adenomyosis and the potential of focused ultrasound through storytelling and social media.

Watch Dr. Corbett's documentary videos tracking her journey with Adenomyosis and her focused ultrasound treatment.
Listen to Dr. Corbett's podcast interview on Dr. Lovely’s Not Your Mother’s Menopause podcast, where she discusses treating Adenomyosis with focused ultrasound.
Listen to Dr. Susie LeBlang's podcast interview on Dr. Lovely’s Not Your Mother’s Menopause podcast, where she discusses treating uterine fibroids with focused ultrasound.
EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

----------------------------
QUESTIONS?
Email podcast@fusfoundation.org if you have a question or comment about the show, or if you would you like to connect about future guest appearances.

Email info@fusfoundation.org if you have questions about focused ultrasound or the Foundation.

FUSF SOCIAL MEDIA

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