Breaking barriers in cancer care

In the fight against cancer, liver malignancies reign as some of the most challenging. Often growing silently, these cancers can evade early detection, leading to high mortality and recurrence rates. The liver’s complex structure further complicates treatment, making surgical and other interventions difficult or even impossible for many patients. Against such odds, a groundbreaking noninvasive therapy offers hope.

This innovation comes in the form of histotripsy, a cutting-edge technology that promises to redefine treatment for liver cancer patients. Thanks to a transformative gift from the Li Ka Shing Foundation, Stanford is now able to offer this potentially lifesaving therapy to people facing this difficult disease. The foundation, named after Hong Kong entrepreneur and global philanthropist Li Ka-shing, has long been a supporter of medical advancements at Stanford and around the world.

A visionary gift to transform care

The Li Ka Shing Foundation’s gift has enabled Stanford to acquire a new histotripsy therapeutic system, which is expected to be ready for clinical use shortly. While traditional therapies—thermal ablation, radiation, and/or surgery—pose the potential risk of serious side effects or are not viable options for some patients with liver cancer, histotripsy has been proven safe and highly effective for certain patients with this type of cancer.

Using non-thermal, non-ionizing ultrasound therapy capable of delivering ablative sound waves with millimeter precision, the technology works by creating microscopic bubbles in the targeted tissue; these bubbles rapidly expand and collapse, breaking down cell structures and effectively liquefying tumors. Since histotripsy ablates tumors noninvasively, it can lead to shorter recovery times; reduced discomfort and therefore less pain management, including the use of opioids; and fewer complications, such as the risk of bleeding, infection, and damage to surrounding tissues and other vital structures, even the liver itself.

Perhaps most importantly, histotripsy offers the possibility of treating previously untreatable cancers. Based on current research and clinical trials, the technology shows promising potential as a definitive treatment for certain liver cancers.

“Histotripsy represents a significant leap forward in our ability to treat liver cancer, offering hope to patients who previously had limited options,” says Lloyd B. Minor, MD, the Carl and Elizabeth Naumann Dean of the School of Medicine and vice president for medical affairs at Stanford University. “This innovative technology has the potential to revolutionize cancer treatment, improving outcomes and quality of life for countless individuals. We are profoundly grateful to Mr. Li and the Li Ka Shing Foundation for their generous gift.”

“Incorporating this device into clinical care is part of Stanford’s commitment to bringing the latest cutting-edge treatments to our cancer patients,” adds Quynh-Thu Le, MD, chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology, the Katharine Dexter McCormick and Stanley McCormick Memorial Professor II, and interim chair of the Department of Radiology at Stanford. “The technology will also facilitate new research opportunities that could benefit patients facing other types of cancer as well as other medical conditions, including kidney stones and neurological disorders. I can’t thank Mr. Li and the foundation enough for their visionary support and for their interest in helping us provide the best possible care to our patients.”

The introduction of histotripsy at Stanford exemplifies the transformative impact of philanthropy, reflecting Mr. Li’s enduring commitment to advancing science and health care innovation globally.

Dedicated to benefiting humanity

A friend to Stanford for more than four decades, Mr. Li’s philanthropic support has fueled research, education, and patient care at the university. Construction of the Li Ka Shing Center for Learning and Knowledge, which opened in 2010 and is the heart of the medical school, was made possible by a lead gift from the Li Ka Shing Foundation. The foundation has made multiple generous gifts before and since, supporting many areas of Stanford Medicine, including translational medicine projects, fellowship training, and the Li Ka Shing Professorship of Cardiology, currently held by Alan Yeung, MD.  

The foundation’s generosity was also reflected in a 2024 gift that helped establish a pilot program called the Stanford Initiative for Entrepreneurs’ Resilience and Well-Being. The program is aimed at fostering resilience and well-being among entrepreneurs in health science and technology.

Beyond Stanford, the Li Ka Shing Foundation has donated billions to education, health care, and disaster relief efforts worldwide.

This story first appeared in Stanford Medicine News.