title: Recent advances in molecular, multimodal and theranostic ultrasound imaging.
abstract: Ultrasound (US) imaging is an exquisite tool for the non-invasive and real-time diagnosis of many different diseases. In this context, US contrast agents can improve lesion delineation, characterization and therapy response evaluation. US contrast agents are usually micrometer-sized gas bubbles, stabilized with soft or hard shells. By conjugating antibodies to the microbubble (MB) surface, and by incorporating diagnostic agents, drugs or nucleic acids into or onto the MB shell, molecular, multimodal and theranostic MBs can be generated. We here summarize recent advances in molecular, multimodal and theranostic US imaging, and introduce concepts how such advanced MB can be generated, applied and imaged. Examples are given for their use to image and treat oncological, cardiovascular and neurological diseases. Furthermore, we discuss for which therapeutic entities incorporation into (or conjugation to) MB is meaningful, and how US-mediated MB destruction can increase their extravasation, penetration, internalization and efficacy.
authors: Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH-Aachen University, Aachen, Germany. Electronic address: fkiessling@ukaachen.de.
authors: Fabian
authors: F
authors: Kiessling
authors: Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH-Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
authors: Stanley
authors: S
authors: Fokong
authors: Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH-Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
authors: Jessica
authors: J
authors: Bzyl
authors: Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH-Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
authors: Wiltrud
authors: W
authors: Lederle
authors: Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH-Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
authors: Moritz
authors: M
authors: Palmowski
authors: Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH-Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Department of Controlled Dug Delivery, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands.
authors: Twan
authors: T
authors: Lammers
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003287:Contrast Media; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D045423:Microbubbles; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media
keywords: Angiogenesis; Blood–brain barrier; Cardiovascular; Cavitation; Drug delivery; Molecular imaging; Nanomedicine; Sonography; Theranostics; Tumor