[Development of Ultrasound Theranostics for Cancer]

Theranostics is a term used to describe the combination of diagnostic and therapeutic functions in a single agent. Ultrasound, for example, is a good tool for theranostics due to its multi-potency as both a diagnostic tool using sonography, and as a therapeutic, i.e., by high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). Likewise, microbubbles and nanobubbles are not only used as contrast imaging agents, but also as enhancers of drug delivery. Recently, the combination of these bubbles with low intensity ultrasound has been utilized as an effective drug delivery system. We have implemented a similar technique by combining bubbles and ultrasound to study cancer gene therapy and chemotherapy. In addition, we have used high intensity ultrasound as a method for directly damaging tumor cells, thus serving as a cancer therapy. For effective cancer treatment, however, the properties of the bubbles are of utmost importance. Currently, we are applying these bubbles to various therapeutic strategies in cancer treatment. In this session, we would like to introduce the feasibility study of our use of these bubbles in cancer treatment.