Ultrasound-based drug delivery systems

Abstract

Ultrasound-based drug delivery systems are one of the novel and noninvasive techniques which enhance the delivery of therapeutic agents like proteins, small chemical agents, genetic materials, and chemotherapeutic agents. The therapeutic agents can be attached to a gas-filled microbubble, liposome, or encapsulated in microspheres. Traditionally ultrasonic waves have been used for diagnostic purposes like ultrasound imaging and therapeutic purposes like kidney stone disruption, liposuction, and tissue heating. However, recently the progress in technology has led to ultrasound-enabled targeted delivery of therapeutic agents. Destruction of carriers of ultrasonic contrast agents at the targeted site using mild hyperthermia can produce advanced targeting features. Theranostic modules can be developed by combining therapeutic molecules with ultrasound contrast agent or using magnetic particles which act as a promising tool in the area of drug delivery. This chapter reviews the principles and current status of ultrasound-based drug delivery systems. The chapter also discusses recent developments in ultrasound-mediated drug delivery and ultrasound contrast agents, which can act as beneficial tools for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.