Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan.
Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
Cell Mol Life Sci. 2021 Sep;78(17-18):6119-6141. doi: 10.1007/s00018-021-03904-9. Epub 2021 Jul 23.
Ultrasonic technologies show great promise for diagnostic imaging and drug delivery in theranostic applications. The development of functional and molecular ultrasound imaging is based on the technical breakthrough of high frame-rate ultrasound. The evolution of shear wave elastography, high-frequency ultrasound imaging, ultrasound contrast imaging, and super-resolution blood flow imaging are described in this review. Recently, the therapeutic potential of the interaction of ultrasound with microbubble cavitation or droplet vaporization has become recognized. Microbubbles and phase-change droplets not only provide effective contrast media, but also show great therapeutic potential. Interaction with ultrasound induces unique and distinguishable biophysical features in microbubbles and droplets that promote drug loading and delivery. In particular, this approach demonstrates potential for central nervous system applications. Here, we systemically review the technological developments of theranostic ultrasound including novel ultrasound imaging techniques, the synergetic use of ultrasound with microbubbles and droplets, and microbubble/droplet drug-loading strategies for anticancer applications and disease modulation. These advancements have transformed ultrasound from a purely diagnostic utility into a promising theranostic tool.
超声技术在诊断成像和治疗应用中的药物输送方面显示出巨大的潜力。功能和分子超声成像的发展基于高帧率超声的技术突破。本文综述了剪切波弹性成像、高频超声成像、超声对比成像和超分辨率血流成像的发展。最近，人们认识到超声与微泡空化或液滴蒸发相互作用的治疗潜力。微泡和相变液滴不仅提供了有效的对比剂，而且还显示出巨大的治疗潜力。与超声的相互作用在微泡和液滴中诱导出独特且可区分的生物物理特性，从而促进药物负载和输送。特别是，这种方法显示出在中枢神经系统应用中的潜力。在这里，我们系统地回顾了治疗超声的技术发展，包括新型超声成像技术、超声与微泡和液滴的协同使用，以及用于抗癌应用和疾病调节的微泡/液滴载药策略。这些进展使超声从纯粹的诊断工具转变为一种很有前途的治疗工具。
