Optimal drug and gene delivery in cancer cells by ultrasound-induced cavitation.
BACKGROUND
Lack of efficient drug and gene delivery is one of the major problems of cancer chemo- and bio-therapy. This work is focused on optimization of ultrasound-induced delivery of model macromolecular anti-cancer drugs and DNA in human cancer cells.


METHODS
FITC dextrans simulated antisense oligonucleotides (10 kDa), antibodies (70 kDa), and genes (2000 kDa). Optimization of ultrasound frequency, intensity, duty cycle, time of irradiation, and concentration of Optison (ultrasound contrast agent) was performed.


RESULTS
Optimal parameters provided in the MCF7 cell line 73.5+/-3.3%, 72.7+/-0.9%, and 62.7+/-2.1% delivery of 10-kDa, 70-kDa, and 2000-kDa macromolecules, respectively, 36.7+/-4.9% of cell transfection, while dead cell count was only 13.5+/-1.6%. Statistically significant drug delivery and transfection was obtained in all tested cell lines.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that optimized treatment parameters provide efficient drug and gene delivery in cancer cells and could be used for further in vivo and in vitro experiments.
Larina
Irina V
IV
Center for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, USA.
Evers
B Mark
BM
Esenaliev
Rinat O
RO
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003911:Dextrans / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010957:Plasmids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014162:Transfection / Q000379:methods*; D014465:Ultrasonics
D003911:Dextrans; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense; C485184:enhanced green fluorescent protein; C015219:fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate