abstract |
Methods of using pulsed focused ultrasound (pFUS) therapy to treat pancreatic disorders such as type 1 diabetes, pancreatitis, and pancreatic cancer are provided. The methods utilize pulsed focused ultrasound (pFUS) therapy either by itself or in combination with islet transplantation and/or stem cell therapy to promote regeneration of damaged pancreatic tissue, increase insulin secretion in response to glucose, or improve engraftment and revascularization of transplanted islets or beta cells. Additionally, methods of using pFUS are provided for modulating paracrine secretion in the pancreas, islets, beta cells, or stem cells, or at a transplantation site to therapeutically alter levels of various factors including, without limitation, cytokines, growth factors, angiogenic factors, and cell adhesion molecules. |