Therapeutic applications of microbubbles.
Microbubbles, currently used as contrast agents have potential therapeutic applications. Microbubbles, upon insonation of sufficiently intense ultrasound will cavitate. Cavitation with microbubbles can be used to dissolve blood clots or deliver drugs. Targeting ligands and drugs can be incorporated into microbubbles to make highly specific diagnostic and therapeutic agents for activation with ultrasound. In this paper I will review some of these potential applications and experimental results using such agents for thrombolysis, drug and gene delivery.
Unger
Evan C
EC
ImaRx Therapeutics, Inc., 1635 East 18th St., Tucson, AZ 85719, USA.
Matsunaga
Terry Onichi
TO
McCreery
Thomas
T
Schumann
Patricia
P
Sweitzer
Robert
R
Quigley
Rachel
R
D003287:Contrast Media; D004337:Drug Carriers; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008863:Microspheres; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D014463:Ultrasonography
D003287:Contrast Media; D004337:Drug Carriers