Metabolic and Anti-Proliferative Responses of Pancreatic Cancer Cells to Ultrasound and Nanobubble Treatment

Abstract

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the most lethal malignancies due to its dense stroma, which limits drug delivery and therapeutic efficacy. Ultrasound (US) mediated strategies using nanobubbles (NBs) offer a promising approach to enhance treatment, yet the biological effects of NB exposure and the timing of US application remain unclear. Here, we investigated how NB exposure with immediate (0h) or delayed (1h) US affects viability, proliferation, metabolism, and stress signaling in PANC-1 and BxPC-3 cells. Immediate US exposure in the presence of extracellular nanobubbles resulted in a greater reduction in cell viability at 24 h compared to delayed US application. Proliferation analysis showed that Ki67 positivity decreased following USNB treatments in both cell lines. Metabolically, NB treatment alone increased cellular activity, whereas combined USNB treatment reduced metabolic activity over time. Seahorse analysis revealed higher basal respiration in PANC-1 cells compared to BxPC-3 cells, consistent with a more glycolytic phenotype, while USNB treatment enhanced glycolytic responses, particularly in PANC-1. Moreover, stress responses were also more pronounced in PANC-1 cells, with HSP70 expression increasing up to 2-fold in NB incubated group and decreasing in USNB groups compared to untreated, whereas BxPC-3 cells exhibited only modest and opposite changes to PANC-1 in HSP70 expression decreasing with NB incubation. Treatment timing critically influenced outcomes, with immediate US producing stronger antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects, highlighting the importance of sequencing in USNB therapeutic strategies. Moreover, NBs alone stimulated metabolic and stress responses that may promote proliferation, whereas NBs combined with US induced stronger stress responses associated with metabolic reprogramming and reduced proliferation.