To support Caltech’s pioneering oncotripsy research to offer gentler, targeted cancer treatments.

Our Mission

Oncotripsy promises fewer side effects compared to chemotherapy and radiation by precisely targeting cancer cells. Oncotripsy is an experimental, non-invasive cancer treatment concept that uses focused mechanical ultrasound forces—rather than heat, radiation, or chemicals—to physically disrupt and destroy cancer cells while largely sparing healthy tissue.

It is sometimes described as a mechanical cousin of ultrasound ablation, but the underlying mechanism is fundamentally different.

Core Concept:

Cancer cells are mechanically weaker and less elastic than normal cells.
Oncotripsy attempts to exploit this weakness by:

• Applying precisely tuned ultrasound frequencies

• Generating intense mechanical stress and micro-vibrations

• Causing cancer cells to rupture, fragment, or lose structural integrity

• Leaving surrounding healthy cells relatively unharmed due to their greater stiffness and resilience

Think of it as selectively shaking cancer cells apart rather than burning or poisoning them.

Below is a comparison chart based on the known benefits and mechanisms of each treatment type.