Nanomedicines for high‑intensity focused ultrasound cancer treatment and theranostics (Review)

Abstract

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a promising and representative non-invasive therapeutic method for treating cancer with a high degree of efficacy. This non-invasive method induces tumour cell necrosis by increasing the local temperature and mechanical pressure. However, the clinical application of HIFU is limited given its low penetration depth and the incidence of off-target side effects. With their promising structural adjustability and targeting ability, nanomedicines have been adopted to improve the ablative efficacy of HIFU in the treatment of cancer. By selectively changing the acoustic environment (tissue structure, density and blood supply) of tumour tissue, these nanomedicines may allow for lower HIFU doses and treatment duration, while additionally achieving a higher degree of efficacy. The use of nanomedicines may also enable cancer theranostics of HIFU, allowing for precise cancer therapeutics. The present review aimed to provide an overview of advances in nanomedicines for HIFU cancer treatment and theranostics, stating their current limitations and future perspectives. Contents 1. Introduction 2. Nano-therapeutics for HIFU-based cancer treatment 3. Nano-based HIFU cancer theranostics 4. Conclusions and future perspectives

Effects of Ultrasound for Bio‐Applications

“…area to produce high temperature and mechanical force through a focused ultrasound transducer, with higher spatial resolution and higher intensity (ranging from 3 to several thousand W cm −2 ). [82] Recently, HIUF has been reported to alter the permeability of the cytoplasmic matrix in solid tumors and enhance large molecular weight drugs delivering to tumors without causing severe changes in vessel size and structure. [83] As shown in Figure 3B, the tissue penetration ability of Cy5.5-labeled ethylene glycol chitosan nanoparticles (Cy5.5-CNPs) via intravenous injection was greatly restricted at the initial state, due to the dense cytoplasmic matrix outside the tumor tissue, and almost all the drugs cannot deliver to the tumor site.…”