title: Microbubble-mediated ultrasound drug-delivery and therapeutic monitoring.
abstract: Recent developments in ultrasound imaging and ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) improved diagnostic confidence in echography and set into motion their combined use as a tool for drug delivery and therapeutic monitoring. Non-invasive, precise and targeted delivery of drug molecules to pathological tissues by employing different mechanisms of drug release is becoming feasible. Areas covered: We sought to describe: the nature and features of UCAs; outline current contrast-specific imaging modes; before describing a variety of strategies for using ultrasound and microbubbles as a drug delivery system. Our expert opinion focusses on results and prospects of using ultrasound and microbubbles as a dual modality for drug delivery and therapeutic monitoring. Expert opinion: Today, ultrasound and microbubbles present a realistic prospect as drug delivery tools that have been demonstrated in a variety of animal models and clinical indications. Besides delivering drugs, ultrasound and microbubbles have demonstrated added value through therapeutic monitoring and assessment. Successful evaluation of the sonoporation mechanism(s), ultrasound parameters, drug type and dose will need to be addressed before translating this technology for clinic use. Ultimately, the development of a strategy for monitoring targeted delivery and its implementation in clinical practice would advance therapeutic treatment to a new qualitative level.
authors.affiliation: a UMR Imagerie et Cerveau, Inserm U930 , Université François Rabelais , Tours , France.
authors.forename: Charles A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Sennoga
authors.affiliation: a UMR Imagerie et Cerveau, Inserm U930 , Université François Rabelais , Tours , France.
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kanbar
authors.affiliation: a UMR Imagerie et Cerveau, Inserm U930 , Université François Rabelais , Tours , France.
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-7379-8506
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Auboire
authors.affiliation: b Inserm CIC 1415, CHRU Tours , Tours , France.
authors.forename: Paul-Armand
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Dujardin
authors.affiliation: a UMR Imagerie et Cerveau, Inserm U930 , Université François Rabelais , Tours , France.
authors.forename: Damien
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fouan
authors.affiliation: a UMR Imagerie et Cerveau, Inserm U930 , Université François Rabelais , Tours , France.
authors.forename: Jean-Michel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Escoffre
authors.affiliation: a UMR Imagerie et Cerveau, Inserm U930 , Université François Rabelais , Tours , France.
authors.forename: Ayache
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bouakaz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003287:Contrast Media; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D045423:Microbubbles; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media
keywords: Contrast agents; diagnostic imaging; drug-delivery; microbubbles; sonoporation; therapeutic monitoring; ultrasound