A review of ultrasound-mediated microbubbles technology for cancer therapy: a vehicle for chemotherapeutic drug delivery. Issue 3 (22nd September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Osei, Ernest; Al-Asady, Aladdin
• Is Part Of: Journal of radiotherapy in practice. Volume 19:Issue 3(2020)
• Page Start: 291
• Page End: 298
• Publication Date: 2020-09-22
• Subjects: microbubbles, -- ultrasound, -- chemotherapy drug delivery, -- cancer treatment, -- sonoporation; Radiotherapy -- Periodicals; 615.842005
• DOI: 10.1017/S1460396919000633
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1460-3969

Abstract

Abstract: Background: The unique behaviour of microbubbles under ultrasound acoustic pressure makes them useful agents for drug and gene delivery. Several studies have demonstrated the potential application of microbubbles as a non-invasive, safe and effective technique for targeted delivery of drugs and genes. The drugs can be incorporated into the microbubbles in several different approaches and then carried to the site of interest where it can be released by destruction of the microbubbles using ultrasound to achieve the required therapeutic effect. Methods: The objective of this article is to report on a review of the recent advances of ultrasound-mediated microbubbles as a vehicle for delivering drugs and genes and its potential application for the treatment of cancer. Conclusion: Ultrasound-mediated microbubble technology has the potential to significantly improve chemotherapy drug delivery to treatment sites with minimal side effects. Moreover, the technology can induce temporary and reversible changes in the permeability of cells and vessels, thereby allowing for drug delivery in a spatially localised region which can improve the efficiency of drugs with poor bioavailability due to their poor absorption, rapid metabolism and rapid systemic elimination.