Ultrasound-Responsive Controlled-Release Nanocarriers

CD Bioparticles offers custom services to stimuli-responsive controlled-release nanocarriers using advanced techniques. Our experienced scientists have created a comprehensive platform to design the ultrasound-responsive controlled-release nanocarriers in order to improve the capability of controlled-release drug delivery system.

Introduction to Ultrasound-responsive Controlled-release Nanocarriers

Among the stimuli to trigger controlled drug release, ultrasound technology is one of the most widely used diagnostic modalities in clinics due to its good safety property and relatively inexpensive application. Upon the application of ultrasound waves at the desired part, ultrasound-responsive nanoparticle can selectively target cancer cells, minimizing unwanted effects and improving the efficacy of anticancer agent.

Like light, ultrasound was originally developed as a clinical diagnostic imaging method. Recent evidence has proved that high-frequency sound waves can damage some specific kinds of DDS scaffolds (such as liposomes and micelles). Besides, along with the improvement of sonochemistry, researchers also found that ultrasound could induce chemical reactions, being even able to cleave some chemical bonds. Therefore, ultrasound acts as the stimulation of drug delivery systems to have many types of effect, such as the thermos effects, the chemical and mechanical effects. Ultrasound-responsive liposomes are drug-loaded liposomes that contain a small amount of gas (often air). Co-encapsulation of a pharmaceutic along with this gas renders the liposomes acoustically active, allowing for ultrasound imaging as well as controlled release of the contents through ultrasound stimulation. Some DDS scaffolds of ultrasound-sensitivity are used in ultrasound-responsive controlled-release nanocarriers. After sonication, the drugs which conjunction with DDS scaffolds is releasing by the degradation of DDS scaffolds or the bond between drug and DDS scaffolds is broken. Besides, targeting delivery with ultrasound responsive nanoparticles could be achieved with the aid of different targeting ligands conjugated to the surface of the nanoparticles.

Key Features of Ultrasound-responsive Controlled-release Nanocarriers

• Ultrasound also belongs to the non-invasive stimulus category.
• The drug releasing behavior can be precisely controlled by applying ultra-sound at a specific position.
• Various types of ultrasound-responsive controlled drug release can be designed based on the characteristics of ultrasound, such as, through thermal induction, mechanical stimulus or gas vaporization through microbubbles.
• Ultrasound stimulates enhanced permeation of tissues, cell membranes, and specialized barriers, such as the blood brain barrier.
• Ultrasound can act as an activator of some drugs.
• Controlled-release can prevent drug decomposition.

Figure 1. Schematic illustrating low and high power ultrasound assisting in drug delivery though microbubbles and cavitation. (Zhao, Y. Z., et al. Int. J. Nanomed. 2013, 8, 1621–1633.)

Ultrasound-responsive Controlled-release Nanocarriers Applications

Many studies have shown that ultrasound responsive nanoparticles could play an important role in medical world especially in early cancer detection and continuous cancer assessment. More work will need to be carried out to use targeted and non-targeted ultrasound responsive nanoparticles for drug and gene delivery for clinical applications. Together with other stimuli, ultrasound induces mechanical effects to improve the efficiency of chemotherapeutic delivery systems.

Our Ultrasound Controlled Nanocarriers Featured Services

• Customized biomaterials synthesis upon request.
• Optimized targeting efficiency for client need.
• Reliable project management during the whole process.
• Fast and direct material sourcing.
• Global production capabilities.
• High quality control system to provide sustainable support for your project.

Quotations and Ordering

References:
1. Az-Zamakhshariy Z., et al. A review of thermo- and ultrasound-responsive polymeric systems for delivery of chemotherapeutic agents. Polymers. 2016, 8, 359.
2. Chendi D, et al. Recent advances in stimuli-responsive release function drug delivery systems for tumor treatment. Molecules. 2016, 21, 1715.
3. Awan A F, Alanoud M A. Ultrasound responsive nanoparticles in cancer imaging and therapy. Biomed J Sci &Tech Res. 2018, 2(5).