High-intensity focused ultrasound inhibits invasion and metastasis of colon cancer cells by enhancing microRNA-124-mediated suppression of STAT3.

Metastasis is the primary contributor to colorectal cancer mortality. High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is an emerging technology for tumor therapy that exerts its effects through tumor ablation, mechanical disruption, and enhancement of immune responses. However, it remains unclear whether HIFU can influence tumor metastasis. Here, we examined the effect of HIFU on tumor metastasis of colorectal cancer cells and the underlying mechanisms. HIFU was observed to inhibit migration of HCT-116 cells in vitro and suppress lung metastasis in a mouse model of colon cancer. In addition, HIFU up-regulated microRNA (miR) -124 expression, which inhibited the activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and inhibited migration of HCT-116 cells. Treatment with an inhibitor of miR-124 reversed the effect of HIFU on cell migration. In conclusion, our results suggest that HIFU exerts anti-metastatic effects in colon cancer, and this effect is possibly mediated via up-regulation of miR-124 and subsequent miR-124-mediated STAT3 suppression.